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In the quirky world of Telugu politics, a peculiar 'sentiment' has gained traction: Spend time in jail, and you might just land the Chief Minister's chair. With Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and A. Revanth Reddy famously ascending to power post-incarceration, the theory has sparked more gossip than a Tollywood blockbuster. Now, tongues are wagging that BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao might be eyeing this unconventional route to Telangana's top job. KTR's repeated fiery challenges to CM Revanth Reddy — daring him to "show some guts" and throw him in jail — have only added fuel to the rumour mill. "Send me to jail if you dare," KTR has been heard saying, leaving political observers wondering if he's more eager to pack a jail bag than win an election for his party the next time round. But Revanth, never one to miss a punchline, has a sharp retort ready. "Even if KTR goes to jail, he won't become CM," Revanth quipped. Why? Because KTR's sister, Kalvakuntla Kavitha, has already "beaten him to it," spending five months in Tihar Jail in the Delhi liquor scam case. By this logic, Kavitha holds a better shot at the CM crown — jailbird seniority, perhaps? The bizarre rivalry has turned into a comedy of political errors, with Revanth taking every opportunity to dismiss KTR's ambitions. "Just going to jail isn't enough, my friend. You need the people's vote too," Revanth jibed recently, delivering a masterclass in political shade. Do bikes dream of growing into a car? Sure, why not, appears to be the attitude of the Visakhapatnam traffic police who recently issued a challan to a car owner in Bobbili in Vizianagaram district for not wearing a helmet while driving. The shell-shocked car owner, a woman, repeatedly explained, in vain, to the police that her car was parked at her home at the time of the so-called offence. Fed up with the notices to pay the fine, the car owner checked the challan carefully and found that the vehicle number was wrongly printed. The challan was for a vehicle with registration number of 8417, that of a motorcycle owner in Visakhapatnam, while the car's registration number was 8471. The cops apologised to the car owner, and then sent a fresh notice to the bike owner. No word yet if that fine has been paid. -=-=-=-=- Politicians face testing times constantly, that is a given for their line of work. But those vying for the position of the chairpersons of the agriculture market committees in Jukkal Assembly constituency in Kamareddy district, had to take a test. For real. This was the idea of Congress MLA Thota Laxmikantha Rao, who set up a six-member committee to conduct a written test for appointment of Madnoor market committee chairperson's post. Congress activist Ailawar Soujanya secured highest marks in the test and was appointed as market committee chairperson. This new approach has won Rao some admirers within the rank and file of the party including minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. But since nothing is politics is in black and white, dissident Congress leaders staged a protest against the Jukkal MLA at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad the other day. The dissident group also poured out complaints against MLA for ignoring senior cadres and encouraging newcomers into the ruling party. -=-=-=- Making mountains out of molehills may come easy to some, but sometimes, the mountain ends up being a huge problem. That is apparently the fix that officials of the civil supplies department find themselves in Kakinada. The story goes thus: Kakinada collector Sagili Shan Mohan received information that PDS rice was being exported from the anchorage port and was being done so without the requisite permissions. This resulted in an immediate inspection-cum-raid with the civil supplies officials and technical staff, following which 640 tonnes of rice, believed to be meant for the PDS system, was seized. In the end it turned out that the exporter revealed that this was not the case, and that bank guarantees were in place and everything about the rice was legit, and that is when the rice was loaded onto the ship. Officials are now scratching their heads to figure a way out about the 'seizure', if one goes by the whispers doing the rounds in government circles. -=-=-=-= A small drink a day may not keep the doctor away but it surely can attract the attention of the opposition party looking for ammunition. Such is the case after TD MLC B.T. Naidu's recent comments during the oath-taking ceremony of Somisetty Venkateswarlu as chairman of the Kurnool Urban Development Authority. In all apparent innocence, as part of his praise of Venkateswarulu, Naidu let it slip that among Venkateswarlu's good qualities were sticking to having just one 'small, negligible quantity' of alcohol daily at 8.30 pm, and calling it a sign of 'discipline'. While the remarks drew some laughter from the gathering, this attracted the attention of opposition YSRC leaders who were quick to start poking Venkateswarlu's 'discipline' with posts on social media platforms mocking the TD's choice to head KUDA. -=-=-=-=- Never look a gift horse in its mouth, or so the saying goes. But when it comes to nice little expensive gifts, there are few and far between who say no. One among them turned out to be the CPI(ML) MP Sudhama Prasad from Bihar, who the other day turned down small gold and silver gifts presented to members of the parliamentary standing committee on railways during a tour of Bengaluru, Tirupati and Hyderabad, led by committee chairman C.M. Ramesh. Word doing the rounds is that Prasad criticised the gifts received by members, calling it profligacy, and sent the gift pack back expressing concern that such practices discourage transparency, especially relating to corruption. Prasad is also learnt to have written to Ramesh urging an end to the misuse of public funds and questioning the need for luxurious accommodations for committee meetings. -=-=-=-=-=- In the corridors of Telangana’s bureaucracy, where decorum and discretion usually reign supreme, a retired IAS officer turned government adviser, K.S. Sreenivasa Raju, has become the unlikely epicentre of controversy. Tasked with overseeing infrastructure and projects, Raju seems to have developed a hobby: Poking his nose into every issue imaginable, whether it falls under his purview or not. And his knack for ‘unfiltered commentary’ is proving to be the spice — or bane — at Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's review meetings. According to insiders, Raju's penchant for making satirical comments about senior IAS officers during high-stakes discussions has raised more than a few eyebrows, and hackles. These quips, often delivered in a razor-sharp manner, have left senior bureaucrats, particularly those at the level of special chief secretary or principal secretary, seething with frustration. It's not just embarrassing; it's downright humiliating, feel IAS officers. The murmurs on the bureaucratic grapevine suggest that Raju's proximity to Revanth affords him a level of impunity that few dare to challenge-at least openly. However, patience among his peers appears to be wearing thin and whispers of an impending showdown are growing louder. "It's only a matter of time before the dam breaks," warned a source familiar with the situation.Thieves stole nearly all of this Colerain Township woman's SNAP benefits. Here's how you can protect yourselfGroom tracks his trading graph amid ceremony. 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AP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:33 p.m. ESTAzerbaijan Amends Rules For Storage, Placement, And Management Of Currency Funds Of SOFAZ - Decree
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North Carolina elections board rejects GOP challenge of 60,000 ballots in state Supreme Court race
Manchester City's crisis continued with a 2-0 defeat away to Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Pep Guardiola's old club Barcelona beat Borussia Dortmund to clinch a spot in the knockout stage of Europe's elite club competition. Arsenal, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Lille, Feyenoord and Stuttgart were also victorious, but City's latest loss in a miserable run will dominate the headlines. The 2023 European champions succumbed in Turin as Dusan Vlahovic put Juventus ahead early in the second half when goalkeeper Ederson was unable to keep out his header. Ilkay Gundogan was denied an equaliser by a fine Michele Di Gregorio save, before Weston McKennie made it 2-0 with a fine acrobatic finish in the 75th minute. The result leaves Juventus on 11 points with two games left, a tally that is expected to be enough to guarantee them at least a place in the knockout phase play-offs. City, meanwhile, have now won just once in 10 in all competitions, with seven defeats in that time. With just eight points, they currently sit 22nd in the standings, in which the top 24 advance to the knockouts. Their next game will be crucial, as they travel to a Paris Saint-Germain side who sit a point beneath Guardiola's men. "We have to get points, we'll go to Paris to try and do that and the same goes for the final match at home (to Club Brugge)," Guardiola told Amazon Prime in Italy. Barcelona are second in the standings with 15 points, behind only Liverpool, after beating Dortmund 3-2 in a thriller in Germany, with Ferran Torres their hero. Raphinha fired Barca ahead with his 17th goal of the season, early in a remarkable second half. Serhou Guirassy equalised with a penalty on the hour mark, but substitute Torres put Barca back in front on 75 minutes, converting the loose ball after Fermin Lopez's shot was saved. Guirassy scored again for a quick equaliser, only for Torres to strike once more and win the game for Barca with five minutes left. Barcelona's tally leaves them, like Liverpool, ideally placed to finish in the top eight, which means direct progress to the last 16 without having to go through the play-offs. Arsenal are third in the standings on 13 points after easing to a 3-0 win over Monaco in London. Bukayo Saka scored twice, putting the Gunners ahead in the first half and making it 2-0 on 78 minutes as the hosts pounced on disastrous Monaco defending. Saka then turned provider for the late third, with substitute Kai Havertz credited with the final touch. Mikel Arteta's team are one of six sides on 13 points, with Lille also on that tally after edging Sturm Graz 3-2 in France thanks to a fine late winner from Hakon Haraldsson. Lille were 2-0 up through Osame Sahraoui and Mitchel Bakker, only for goals by Otar Kiteishvili and Mika Biereth to bring the Austrian champions back level. However, Icelandic midfielder Haraldsson secured Lille's fourth win of the campaign. Atletico eased to a 3-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava, with Antoine Griezmann scoring twice after Julian Alvarez had opened the scoring with an excellent strike. David Strelec pulled one back for the Slovaks, who are one of three teams already eliminated having lost six games out of six. The others are RB Leipzig and Young Boys. Milan defeated Red Star Belgrade 2-1 at San Siro with Tammy Abraham grabbing the winner three minutes from time. Rafael Leao had put Milan ahead only for Nemanja Radonjic to equalise for the Serbian side, who have lost five of their six games and are surely heading out. Benfica edged closer to a play-off spot with a 0-0 draw at home to Bologna of Italy, who have scored just one goal in six games and will go no further. Feyenoord stayed on course to go through after beating Sparta Prague 4-2 in Rotterdam, with Gernot Trauner, Igor Paixao, Anis Hadj Moussa and Santiago Gimenez netting their goals. Stuttgart kept alive their hopes of progress by coming from behind to beat Young Boys 5-1. Lukasz Lakomy put Young Boys ahead but Angelo Stiller levelled before Enzo Millot, Chris Fuehrich, Josha Vagnoman and Yannik Keitel all scored in the second half. The next round of Champions League games is scheduled for January 21 and 22, with the league phase concluding the following week.
On winning the Global All-Track Grand Prize at HackHarvard 2024TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A state attorney in Florida told his staff he can't legally help his elected replacement take over his seat because Gov. Ron DeSantis had already suspended the Democrat from the office, according to an internal email obtained by The Associated Press. An executive order issued by DeSantis in 2023 suspending then-State Attorney Monique Worrell from office is still in effect, argued state attorney Andrew Bain in a message sent to staff on Monday. The governor appointed Bain to the 9th Judicial Circuit to replace Worrell, who beat him in last month's election to retake the Orlando metro area's top prosecutor's office. “While I accept the results of the election and wish to do everything I can to ensure the Office is successful going forward, I do not yet feel I can assist her in that transition,” Bain wrote. Worrell's new term is slated to begin Jan. 7, 2025. She is one of two elected state attorneys, both Democrats, who DeSantis has removed from office. DeSantis said Worrell failed to prosecute minors and didn’t seek mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes, putting her central Florida district in danger. She disputed his criticism as false and politically driven . DeSantis and other Republicans across the U.S. have called Democratic prosecutors' decisions into question. Bain said in the email shared with the AP that Worrell's suspension must be resolved by either another executive order by DeSantis or a decision by the Florida Senate, which reviews the cases of elected officials suspended from office. “Without one of these things, I do not feel I can lawfully assist in a transition to an individual whose lawful suspension was affirmed by the Florida Supreme Court ,” Bain wrote. “We are living through an unprecedented legal event without clear answers.” Representatives for Bain did not respond to phone and email inquiries from the AP. A statement posted to the state attorney's website Monday appeared to contradict Bain's message to staff. “The state attorney is ready and willing to ensure a smooth transition,” reads a message released by the agency's public information office. “The state attorney’s term ends Jan. 6, 2025, and he will no longer be in office. Ms. Worrell’s term will begin Jan. 7, 2025. It is the intent of the state attorney to enforce the will of the people.” Worrell criticized Bain's statements as a “betrayal of democratic principles” and argued that the executive order suspending her expired with the 2024 election. “No executive order, no political maneuver, and certainly no personal grievance can override the will of the people,” Worrell said in a statement. “Any delay in the transition process is a direct affront to the very people this office serves.” A spokesperson for DeSantis pointed to the statement released by the state attorney's public information office and didn't respond to other questions from the AP. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.The San Francisco 49ers (5-6) try to salvage their season against the Buffalo Bills (9-2) on Sunday Night Football. Kickoff from Highmark Stadium is set for 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NFL odds around the 49ers vs. Bills odds , and make our expert NFL picks and predictions . The Niners' season is on life support in the basement of the NFC West. The good news is they're just 1 win under the division-leading Seattle Seahawks. The bad news is they have to leapfrog 3 teams to take the West crown. The 49ers have lost 2 straight after a 38-10 defeat in the Frozen Tundra of Green Bay last week. QB Brandon Allen threw for 199 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. QB Brock Purdy (shoulder) is expected back for this one. The Bills exit their bye week after outclassing the Kansas City Chiefs 30-21. QB Josh Allen went 27-for-40 for 262 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, but his 26-yard rushing touchdown was the eventual game-winner. RB James Cook amassed just 20 yards on 9 carries, but 2 of those ended in the end zone. Buffalo has won 6 straight. Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now ! 49ers at Bills odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook ; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds . Lines last updated Saturday at 2:40 p.m. ET. WIN YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE! The Huddle has been turning players like you into winners for over 25 years. This season, it's your turn. Custom fantasy football rankings, sleepers and tools are just a click away. Save 25% off the Internet's best-kept secret. Subscribe now ! 49ers at Bills key injuries 49ers Bills FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+ 49ers at Bills picks and predictions Prediction 49ers 20, Bills 17 Moneyline This game is going to be ugly in the best kind of way. Heavy snowfall is expected with strong winds and a gametime temperature of 27 degrees. The Bills have run away with the AFC East, and this one means so much more to San Francisco than Allen and Co. The absence of Kincaid, who is great on underneath and short-yardage routes is also key. Yes, the Niners are a warm-weather team. Purdy played 4 years at Iowa State, which is susceptible to cold temps. Purdy, RB Christian McCaffrey and TE George Kittle can't be counted out here. In a battle of fortitude, the Niners need it more. I'm taking my shot on 49ERS +225 . Against the spread If you aren't completely on board with my bold prediction, I still think 49ERS +6 ( -110 ) is a good bet. The conditions will keep the ball out of the air for the most part. San Francisco's backs, particularly Jordan Mason , match up well with Buffalo's. Over/Under This is an Under game. With the forecast, I'm really surprised the total hasn't slipped below 40. Heavy snow, cold temps and wind make for an UNDER 44.5 ( -110 ) cash. Want to play some games of your own? Play for free at the best social casinos and enjoy lots of slots, blackjack, video poker, roulette and more. You can even earn real prizes! For more sports betting picks and tips , check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW . Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter/X . Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook . Access more NFL coverage: BetFTW | TheHuddle Fantasy Football | BearsWire | BengalsWire | BillsWire | BroncosWire | BrownsWire | BucsWire | CardsWire | ChargersWire | ChiefsWire | ColtsWire | CommandersWire | CowboysWire | DolphinsWire | EaglesWire | FalconsWire | GiantsWire | JaguarsWire | JetsWire | LionsWire | NinersWire | PackersWire | PanthersWire | PatriotsWire | RaidersWire | RamsWire | RavensWire | SaintsWire | SeahawksWire | SteelersWire | TexansWire | TitansWire | VikingsWire | DraftWire | TouchdownWire | ListWire More NFL Picks and Predictions! Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings odds, picks and predictions Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals odds, picks and predictions LA Chargers at Atlanta Falcons odds, picks and predictions
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American and European stock markets mostly rose on Wednesday after inflation data cemented expectations that the US Federal Reserve will trim interest rates next month. While the Dow fell slightly, the other two major US indices advanced, led by the tech-rich Nasdaq, which piled on almost two percent to close above 20,000 points for the first time. The consumer price index (CPI) rose to 2.7 percent last month from a year ago, up slightly from 2.6 percent in October. "With the CPI numbers broadly in line, it is likely that the Fed will not be derailed and will cut rates again next week," Jochen Stanzl, chief market analyst at CMC Markets. "The data is not a showstopper for the current bull run on Wall Street," he added. Ahead of the data, investors priced in an 86 percent chance the Fed will cut interest rates next week by a quarter percentage point. That rose to more than 98 percent after the CPI data was published. Stocks in Paris and Frankfurt rose ahead of the European Central Bank's own interest rate announcement on Thursday, with analysts expecting another cut as it seeks to boost eurozone growth. Investors are also eyeing political developments in France, where officials said President Emmanuel Macron aims to name a new prime minister "within 48 hours" as he seeks to end political deadlock following the ouster of Michel Barnier. In company news, shares in German retail giant Zalando shed more than four percent on Frankfurt's DAX index, after it acquired domestic rival About You in a deal worth around 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion). Shares in Zara owner Inditex slid more than six percent after a record quarterly profit for the group fell short of market estimates. Among US companies, Google parent Alphabet earned 5.5 percent as it announced the launch of Gemini 2.0, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date. That added to gains after Google also announced Tuesday details of a breakthrough quantum chip. Shares in Shanghai rose but Hong Kong gave up an early rally to end in the red. Traders were keeping tabs on China to see if it will announce further measures to support its struggling economy as leaders were to gather Wednesday for a conference to hammer out next year's agenda. President Xi Jinping and other top leaders on Monday announced their first major shift in policy for more than a decade, saying they would "implement a more active fiscal policy and an appropriately relaxed" strategy. Those remarks sparked hopes for more interest rate cuts and the freeing up of more cash for lending. New York - Dow: DOWN 0.2 percent at 44,148.56 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.8 percent at 6,084.19 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 1.8 percent at 20,034.89 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 8,301.62 (close) Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.4 percent at 7,423.40 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.3 percent at 20,399.16 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: FLAT at 39,372.23 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.8 percent at 20,155.05 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 3,432.49 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0498 from $1.0527 on Tuesday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2752 from $1.2771 Dollar/yen: UP at 152.40 yen from 151.95 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.31 from 82.42 pence Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.8 percent at $73.52 per barrel West Texas Intermediate: UP 2.4 percent at $70.29 per barrel burs-jmb/mlmHegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate
Olivia Hussey, star of the 1968 film 'Romeo and Juliet,' dies at 73CHARLESTON, Utah ( ) – Slow and steady, 25-year-old Jake Harvath rode his trusty white mare, Bella, down Highway 189 toward Charleston, Utah, with his other two mustangs, Denver and Eddy, in tow. Drivers roared by in the comfort of their modern modes of transport, but the trio clip-clopped along unphased, not even by the loudest semitrailers. They were on their last leg of what’s been a 14-month, 6,000-mile journey across the country. Just three more miles along a highway was nothing compared to what they’d already overcome. They dipped down side streets and neighborhoods wherever they could along their route to avoid the busy highway, but got help from a police escort along Main Street in Heber City, where traffic was most hectic for three horses and one cowboy. After passing through 25 states — from Utah to the coastline in New Jersey and back — braving busy roads, navigating remote backcountry trails, trudging through blizzards, even taking a harrowing swim across the Delaware River, and at times knocking on doors to ask for safe places to sleep and eat, Jake and his horses’ ride was almost at an end. Jake coined the journey the “Year of the Mustang.” His mission? Raise awareness of the power and plight of the wild horse. How grazing, population growth and development pressures have made life increasingly difficult for these animals, even though they’re idolized as a patriotic symbol for their role in helping settle the West. Jake Harvath rides through Heber City on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, just a few miles from completing a 6,000-mile, 14-month ride around the U.S. | (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Traffic, as it turns out, would be among the biggest challenges Jake said he confronted along his ride, and it was representative of the entire issue he wanted to highlight — how wild horses “feel constricted and out of place in a human world.” That’s fitting, given the automobile has replaced the horse as a practical use in today’s reality. “That’s the struggle of wild horses, isn’t it?” he told Utah News Dispatch in an interview reflecting on his journey. But by proving their mettle with a modern-day cross-country ride, Jake hoped to inspire others to consider adopting a Bureau of Land Management mustang as one of the many needed solutions to the complex wild horse crisis. Last year, the BLM spent nearly $159 million on efforts to manage wild horse and burro populations across the U.S. — and yet, at more than 73,000 as of March of this year, their numbers continue to be triple what the federal government has deemed as sustainable. To show the country how valuable mustangs are as both companions and work horses even in today’s modern world, Jake rode his steeds all the way to the Atlantic Ocean and back. He hoped to prove they’re just as capable and trustworthy as any other breed — and that they make especially tough trail horses because their survival depends on it in the wild. Police provide an escort as Jake Harvath rides through Heber City, Utah, on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, just a few miles from completing a 6,000-mile, 14-month ride around the U.S. |(Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) All three of Jake’s mustangs were adopted from the BLM — Bella and Denver from Nevada, and Eddy from New Mexico. Their ages and training levels varied, though, at the start of their journey. Bella, now 18, was the oldest and most experienced. She helped teach Jake when he first started learning how to be a horseman at the age of 14, and they formed a tight bond, leading her previous owner to eventually gift Bella to Jake. Eddy, 13, was previously trained but he was the newest to Jake’s herd, so the two were still learning to trust each other as their ride began. And Denver, now 7, was the youngest and a rookie. Even in the days leading up to their trip, Denver still had a lot to learn about being a pack horse, and Jake was still training him. Now, though, after 6,000 miles, they’re all experts. As they drew closer to her home barn, Sage Creek Equestrian Center in Charleston, Bella’s ears perked up and she began sniffing the air. Her pace quickened. From atop her back, Jake noticed her anticipation build. “She smells home,” he said. Jake Harvath hugs his father, Daniel, as he arrives at Sage Creek Equestrian in Charleston on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, completing a 6,000-mile, 14-month ride around the U.S. | (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) While doling out more hugs, Jake and his dad led his three horses to Sage Creek’s indoor arena, where Jake waited for the crowd to quiet down before giving a heartfelt speech, thanking them for their support and sharing his gratitude. “I’m shaking,” he said. “I can’t believe it. It doesn’t feel real.” Jake said it’s been a “remarkable experience, being able to help loads of people start the adoption process to adopt their first wild horses. And also just to be some people’s first experience with horses.” Alongside to his goal to raise awareness of the wild horse crisis, Jake also set out to possibly break a record for the longest continuous horse pack trip done in the U.S. within a year’s time. Although he had originally aimed to trek 7,000 miles — with a route that crossed through California before heading back to Utah — Jake changed his plans when he realized it would be difficult to make it back to Utah before winter fully descended in the West. It took him a little over a year, but he still rode 6,000 miles. And based on what he’s been able to research, Jake believes he has indeed set a record for the longest continuous ride in the U.S. within a year. From Sept. 25, 2023, to Sept. 25, 2024, he said he rode 4,570 miles. The most comparable documented horse ride Jake has been able to find was one completed by Lucian Spataro in 1989. In 150 days, Spataro rode 3,000 miles coast to coast, from Los Angeles to Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, according to his website. He crossed through 15 states — the most ever done at the time with the same horses. Jake said he plans to submit an application to The Long Riders Guild, as well as one to Guinness World Records to set an official record. It remains to be seen if they’ll accept it. But to Jake, while the record would be a cherry on top, it wasn’t the point. The horses were. “These horses have suffered, bled, worked, and sweat to no end to get us here to the end, through storms, rivers, over hundreds and hundreds of mountains,” Jake told his supporters. “They’ve proven their worth again and again. I owe my very life to them.” Gus Warr, wild horse and burro manager for the BLM’s Utah office, came to Jake’s homecoming celebration. After Jake’s speech, Warr stood next to him in the indoor arena, thanking him for his work to “bring exposure” to the wild horse crisis while proving mustangs have a “long list” of capabilities, including “endurance, adaptability, stamina, love and partnership.” “The mustang is another horse. It’s another member of people’s family that can do anything a domestic horse can do,” Warr said. He told Jake, “You’ve proven to the world that, you know what, they’re there for everybody.” Warr told Utah News Dispatch that Jake was the best “ambassador” for the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption program the government could ask for, at no taxpayer expense. “We have animals we need to find homes for,” Warr said. “And he’s been a banner for that.” As of the BLM’s last monthly report issued in September, nearly 63,000 horses were in “off range” holding facilities, cared for in either corrals or pastures. The BLM is tasked with the “management and protection” of both wild horses and the health of public lands. Despite efforts to reduce overpopulation — including round ups and fertility control treatments — wild horse and burro populations remain about three times what federal range managers believe is an appropriate balance with rangeland resources, at about 27,000. Since 2013, herd sizes have more than doubled, though in 2020 populations dipped slightly, according to the BLM. Some wild horse activists advocate against round ups, saying they can be cruel and mustangs have been made scapegoats for rangeland damage most often caused by taxpayer-subsidized cattle grazing. The BLM says it doesn’t remove wild horses to simply make room for cattle grazing on public lands — but rather it does so to “ensure rangeland health” in accordance with land-use plans and to carry out the BLM’s mission to manage public land for multiple uses while also protecting the land’s resources. Still, it’s an expensive problem. Of the $158 million the BLM spent last year alone, $109 million was to care for the animals in off-range holding facilities. While fertility treatments are also expensive and difficult to administer, the agency relies on rehoming horses to save taxpayer money and reduce herd sizes. In 2023, the BLM reported it placed about 8,000 animals into new homes (the second-highest placement rate in more than 20 years), which it estimated saved taxpayers about $181 million. Jake said he sees adoption as not the only solution, but an important one to the wild horse crisis. “The BLM will of course need to apply multifaceted means to controlling wild horse populations if they want to get to stable numbers that the land can sustain, and that means applying perhaps more effective and more supportive means of contraception in mares,” Jake said, as well as “finding more off-range pasture contracts so that more horses in holding facilities can just be retired to a better living situation and they can live more like wild horses do but not competing with other species.” Along with adoption and other methods, Jake said “that will be what it takes to overcome” the issue. Though he acknowledged adoption isn’t the best solution for a majority of horses, he said it’s how more Americans can be part of the solution. While mustangs may be perceived as dangerous or uncontrollable, he wants to encourage existing and perhaps future horse owners against disregarding them in favor of other breeds. “That’s something I think the horse world needs to acknowledge,” Jake said. “That there are qualities these horses have that are absolutely very desirable for many horsemen, and for that reason they should be counted as something worthwhile for horse owners.” Adoption, Warr agreed, is a “huge part of solving the problem,” because the BLM can “only do so much fertility control.” “They’re wild animals. We literally cannot inoculate, capture, vaccinate all the animals we need to,” he said. “It’s overwhelming. So we’re going to continue to do gathers, which means we’re going to have excess animals we’re going to need to find homes for.” Jake’s efforts have indeed directly raised interest in the BLM’s adoption program, Warr said, adding that he’s been contacted by dozens of people “from all over the country” asking about it after they saw Jake on social media, in the news or in person. Jake’s journey also made dozens of local headlines throughout the year. “Him bringing exposure to it is going to help find homes for probably thousands of animals,” Warr said. Police provide an escort as Jake Harvath rides through Heber City on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, just a few miles from completing a 6,000-mile, 14-month ride around the U.S. | (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) To those who argue wild horses should just be left alone on rangelands and their populations will naturally regulate, Warr said the BLM would be neglecting its government mandate to maintain public lands for multiple uses while balancing rangeland health. Additionally, he said overpopulation could lead horses to starve, suffer and die. For both of those reasons, he said, “We can’t turn our back on them.” Adoption, though, has its own challenges. Americans, too, are facing increased cost-of-living pressures — and of course not everyone can afford to own a horse. They’re a luxury item, and it’s a lifestyle that’s becoming increasingly out of reach. Over his 30 years with the program, Warr said it’s become more difficult to adopt out animals. “It’s definitely part of the equation,” Warr said. “People aren’t using equines like they used to, and it’s getting to be a challenge.” That’s why Jake’s efforts to inspire, he said, may be more important than ever. A little over a year ago when he first embarked on his trip, Jake’s face was clean shaven. For his return, he sported a grizzly beard and a weather-worn face. “He came back a mountain man,” one of his supporters remarked with a laugh at his welcome home party. His horses changed, too. When they first embarked on their trip last year, the youngest, Denver, was still learning the ins and outs of packing. And Eddy, while he was a more experienced trail horse, was still getting to know and trust Jake. Now they’ve both got 6,000 miles of experience in the backcountry through all types of terrain — desert, mountains, snow, rivers, and busy city streets. Jake estimated he’d ride about four to six days a week with week-long breaks in Arkansas and New Jersey. He said they averaged about 20 miles a day for the entire trip, though some days were shorter or longer. Remarkably, Denver and Eddy completed the entire ride, switching between carrying Jake and his belongings, and Jake said he never used a trailer to move his horses forward for any portion of their journey. Bella, however, at 18 years old, worried Jake several months into their ride when he saw she was losing weight. Not wanting to risk her health, Jake arranged a trailer in Arkansas to take her back home to Sage Creek Equestrian Center so she could rest. She returned in March and quickly recovered, Jake said. But hoping to finish out the ride with Bella — the seasoned trail horse that helped teach Jake when he was first learning to be a horseman — one of his friends brought her to the Wyoming-Utah state line. She joined Denver and Eddy to trek the last 115 miles or so of the trip. “It was so cool to get her back to be with us for the last week,” Jake told Utah News Dispatch in an interview the day after his homecoming, reflecting on the integral role Bella played. “She was the horse — really the only horse that was truly ready when we got going. The other two had a lot to learn still,” he said. “And I look back and I realize, if it hadn’t been for her, we just never would have made it from the beginning. She taught those boys how to do their job.” That training and trust was put to the ultimate test in Pennsylvania, when Jake’s plans to cross the Delaware River by riding his horses across the Washington Crossing bridge fell through. He said New Jersey bridge commission officials would not give him permission to bring his horses on the pedestrian path. “My heart sank,” he said, since it was the only way he could get to his destination in New Jersey, where he planned to conclude his trek east at the coastline in Middletown. Otherwise, he’d have to trailer, which wasn’t consistent with his goal. So, Jake said he decided to use satellite imagery of the Delaware River to find a place to cross like “real cowboys,” as he said in a video from that day posted on his YouTube channel — by swimming. “I think we’re going to go for it. Like the old days, folks.” Jake was grinning before he, Eddy and Denver took the plunge. Then the video cut to him emerging from the river soaking and breathless. He praised his horses, laughed with relief, and poured water out of his boots before telling the camera: “That was not easy. I wish I could have filmed that for you guys but that was not a time to be holding a phone.” Recalling the swim months later, Jake said it was an “incredible story that everyone loved,” but he added it was an “extremely risky and scary experience.” The rocks were slippery and the current was strong, threatening to sweep them down the river. Eddy and Denver were hesitant at first, but he said he steered them straight until their hooves lifted off and they were both swimming. “I had to commit, there was no turning around,” Jake said. “If I had any shot of getting it done at all, I had to be completely confident. And that’s what I applied to everything we had to overcome.” As much as the Year of the Mustang was about the mustangs themselves and the special relationships they can form with humans, its success also relied on human relationships — not just friends and family, but also complete strangers. “One of the things that surprised me most about the Year of the Mustang journey,” Jake told his supporters, “was the people who wanted to help us. Everywhere I went.” Jake said his trip could not have been possible without the help he received along the way — the farmers, ranchers and other “horse people” who let him camp overnight on their property, in their barns or stay in their homes. With each state he passed through, Jake said he relied on a network of support that grew thanks to social media and word of mouth. His GoFundMe page also pulled in donations to fund the trip, topping $38,000. Some nights Jake said he’d even have to knock on doors to ask for a place to stay, which he said was rarely rejected. In all, he guessed several hundred people helped him along the way. While he estimated he spent about a quarter of the 437-day trip camping on public land, the rest of the time he said he relied on “people’s private situations, whether that was camping on their land or staying in a barn.” “I always thought this out in my mind as a very solo experience, but it became a very national effort, in a way,” Jake said, adding that he found himself talking to groups about the wild mustang crisis and advocating for their adoption. “Maybe that’s a lot to say, but it definitely felt that way when I was speaking to the masses about wild horses,” he said. “I’m glad I got to share with everyone and to see how many people wanted to be a part of it as we went along — whether they were helping us or wanted to help me spread the word.” Jake had planned for years to do this ride, so he didn’t intentionally plan it for a presidential election year — a time when American polarization is on full display — but it happened to work out that way. Especially as November came around, Jake said that reality was “definitely” noticeable because “it was on everyone’s mind.” He said political differences never really became an issue, though he recognized he was mostly dealing with people from similar backgrounds: farmers, ranchers and other horse people. “I’m one of the personalities that I can make friends with anybody, and that helped me throughout this entire trip,” he said. “So I’m very much able to sit down and talk with complete strangers, wherever they’re coming from, and find ways to get along with anybody. So I never really saw that as a challenge.” During his welcome home party, when speaking to his supporters, Jake said even though he’d get asked all the time whether one state was better than another, “I didn’t meet a bad person.” “And I really do genuinely believe it’s a narrative that gets fed to us,” he said. “I’ve come to find that there’s good people everywhere.” Jake said some would wrinkle their noses when he’d explain he’d be riding to New Jersey and back, asking why he chose that state. It was a matter of logistics, he said, because he’d be able to cross one more state off his list with just three days of riding time to the ocean. Though he ran into more obstacles, like the Delaware River crossing, Jake said he enjoyed his time there, in a state where it truly was an unusual sight to see a cowboy with two horses walking down the street. “It just brightened up everyone’s day to see horses walking through their neighborhood or down the middle of town, Princeton, and everything,” he said. “Everyone was super excited to meet me, like everywhere else. It was funny. Just the different experience and perception I got compared to what other people outside of New Jersey had.” Though some states were more scenic than others (Colorado, he said, had the best views), Jake said he doesn’t have a favorite state. “When you really get down to it and you’re meeting people, it’s like, you know, they’re just people,” he said. “They’re good people.” He does have a favorite moment, though. “It was hitting the beach,” he said, in Middletown. “When I rode those horses up to the ocean and rode them in the water, New York City in the back ... it felt great.” So what’s next for Jake now that he’s home? He said he intends to keep advocating for wild horses, in partnership with the BLM and otherwise. He also plans to continue creating content for his social media platforms, and he hopes to make a career out of it. “I’m going to go back out into the country. Not on horse so much this time, (I’ll) probably drive a little more, to catch other people’s stories — ranchers, horse trainers, farmers,” Jake said. “Also, going and telling my story in bigger and better ways to everyone.” So while he may be home in Utah for now, don’t expect it to last long. “We’re going to take this to the whole world.” To remove this article -Woman had blood transfusion as a baby and was 'amazed' to see herself on 60-year-old blood donor ad
Enhanced Faucet Safety and Efficiency for Healthcare & Commercial Facilities DES PLAINES, Ill. , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Faucet Company, a leading manufacturer of commercial faucets, is proud to announce the launch of its new HyTronic® TempShield® Series touchless faucets. This innovative product line integrates an ASSE 1070-certified thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) directly into the spout, setting a new standard for safety and efficiency in healthcare patient and staff areas as well as public restroom environments. The HyTronic TempShield Series offers three spout designs: Gooseneck, Contemporary and Traditional to meet specifier or facility manager specifications. Key Features and Benefits: Integrated ASSE 1070-Certified Scald Protection: The built-in thermostatic valve (TMV) ensures scald protection combined with less opportunities for infection due to a reduction in leak points. Streamlined Installation: With fewer connections and up to six fewer leak points, these faucets reduce installation time for facilities staff and contractors. Advanced Technology: Built-in Bluetooth® technology allows for easy adjustments, mode changes, and Hygiene Flush to reduce standing water using the Chicago Faucets CF Connect app on a smartphone or tablet. Operation mode settings include: Normal Mode, Scrub Mode, Metering Mode, Water Saver Mode, Handwash Mode, Volume Mode, and Cleaning Mode. Durability and Reliability: Constructed from low-lead brass with a chrome finish, these faucets are designed to withstand the demands of healthcare settings. Hygiene-Focused Design: Laminar flow and programmable hygiene flush settings also support infection prevention and water quality management. Versatile Options: Available in three spout styles with easy above-deck maintenance and reliable dual-beam infrared activation. Code Compliance: Meets or exceeds industry standards including ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1, ADA ANSI /ICC A117.1, and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and 372. "The HyTronic® TempShield® Series represents a significant advancement in touchless faucet technology for healthcare facilities," said Richard Nortier , Director of Marketing at Chicago Faucets. "By integrating scald protection and reducing potential leak points, we're providing a solution that enhances both safety and hygiene while simplifying installation and maintenance for our customers." The HyTronic® TempShield® Series is now available for specification by architects, engineers and designers in commercial and healthcare projects. They are available for renovations and project updates for facility managers and contractors through Chicago Faucets United States and Canada distributors . For specifiers, water management teams, nurses, and infection preventionists Chicago Faucets sales representatives are available to discuss the entire +Healthcare line of plumbing fittings. For more information, visit chicagofaucets.com or contact Chicago Faucets at 800-566-2100. About Chicago Faucets: The Chicago Faucet Company is a leading manufacturer of commercial faucets and showers for healthcare, education, food service, and commercial facilities. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability, Chicago Faucets produces durable touchless and manual faucet designs that meet high industry standards. As a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and partner with EPA WaterSense, Chicago Faucets is dedicated to water efficiency and environmental responsibility. For additional information, visit chiagofaucets.com or contact the company at 847-503-5000. SOURCE The Chicago Faucet CompanyUK’s ‘most depressing town’ was voted by tourists but fuming locals insist popular seaside spot is ‘gorgeous’Stock market today: Wall Street gets back to climbing, and the Nasdaq tops 20,000
CHRISTINE McGuinness has left fans of The Weakest Link in disbelief after she made a sweeping statement on the show. Christine , 36, took part in a celebrity 'Party Special' of the BBC quiz and managed to scrape through to the third round. But after getting two questions wrong, she was voted out by her fellow celebrities. Host Romesh Ranganathan then broke it to Christine that she had in fact been the weakest link of the round. After walking backstage, however, fans were stunned by a claim the mum-of-three then made. Christine said: "It's really intense when you're actually there in the studio. "I watch this from home and get all the answers right all of the time." Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans were quick to share their amusement. One wrote: "Sorry Christine, forgive me but I'm not buying that you get 'all of the questions right, all of the time at home'.." Another agreed: "Me neither!" And a third simply wrote: "Good grief." During the third round, Christine had been asked: "In milestones, in 2024 Willie Mullins became the first trainer to have 100 Cheltenham Festival winners in which sport?" She replied: "Running." The correct answer was horse racing. Host Romesh had also asked her: "In TV, the comedians who in 2018 began appearing on a series subtitled Gone Fishing are Bob Mortimer and Paul who? Christine thought about it but then answered: "Bob Mortimer and Paul... Pass" Romesh told Christine the correct answer was 'Whitehouse'. There was some, success, however. "In hiking, the national Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and which other mountain?" Christine was asked. Without hesitation, she quickly - and correctly - replied: "Snowdon." But unfortunately for Christine, it was not enough. Unlike in many other countries, such as the US, HMRC allows cash prizes from competitions and the National Lottery to be tax-free. However, in order for the money to be seen as from a 'competition', there has to be a skill-based element, such as a quiz question, or the option of free entry. This is why some competitions ask incredibly simple questions that even a five-year-old could answer, as they are trying to get around the requirement to offer a free entry option. She received the majority of votes to leave and was booted out thanks to her fellow celebs Babatunde Aléshé, Louisa Lytton and Richie Anderson . Admitting defeat, Christine - who was previously married to comedian and TV host Paddy McGuinness - told Romesh: "I'm really happy I got this far and I was possibly The Weakest Link in that round?" Romesh cut in: "You were the weakest link, yeah." Christine continued: "It' my time to go but I've loved it and would have kept playing." The author, TV personality and former Miss Liverpool was also joined on The Weakest Link by Scarlett Moffatt, Seann Walsh and Paul Potts. Gogglebox alumni Scarlett ended up winning £1,760 for The Samaritans. Earlier in the Party Special of the BBC game show, comedian Seann had slammed his co-stars after he was prematurely voted out by them.
New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip has revealed he snubbed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's press conference on the Woollahra vandalism attacks due to the government's lack of action on antisemitism. Mr Albanese attended the Jewish Museum on Wednesday following the antisemitic defacement of homes in the eastern Sydney suburb where at least one car was set on fire and two homes vandalised with antisemitic graffiti. It was the second antisemitic attack in the prominent Jewish suburb in three weeks. Mr Ossip told Sky News Australia on Wednesday evening he declined to attend Mr Albanese's appearance due to his government's "incendiary, demonising and provocative rhetoric" on Israel. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President said while he respected the office of the Prime Minister and the government funding to the Jewish Museum, he could not listen to Mr Albanese deliver a speech on antisemitism given one of his senior Minister's stance on Israel. "I couldn't bring myself to go and hear the Prime Minister talk about antisemitism whilst his government continues to plot further policy moves against the state of Israel," he said. "And whilst he fails to rein in his Foreign Minister, who continues to use incendiary, demonising and provocative rhetoric which in my opinion endangers the Jewish community." Instead, Mr Ossip sided with NSW Premier Chris Minns due to his "strong and unequivocal" stance on social cohesion. The contrast between Mr Albanese and Mr Minns was "very much a tale of two leaders", he claimed. After the prominent Jewish suburb of Woollahra was attacked on Wednesday morning, Mr Minns immediately fronted the media to speak out on the matter, slamming the actions of people who have "hate in their hearts". Mr Ossip said the Premier and the state government "couldn't have been any stronger" on antisemitism in the 14 months since the October 7 terror attack on Israel last year. "(Mr Minns) was on the phone to me in the early hours of the morning express solidarity with the Jewish community. He called the Israeli ambassador. He immediately coordinated additional security resources for the community, and he dropped everything on his plate to go to Woollahra immediately and to demonstrate his absolute abhorrence at what had taken place," he said. "This has been the approach he's demonstrated over the past 14 months. He's been there every single time, strong and unequivocal. Standing side by side with the Jewish community. "I think the Prime Minister and his colleagues would do very well to learn from Premier Minns." The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President also highlighted Mr Minns' decision to push back against controversial comments by Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday. Senator Wong had used an address at the University of South Australia to compare Israel with Russia and China over its war in Gaza and Lebanon, saying Australia could not "pick and choose which rules we are going to apply" depending on the country involved. “We expect Russia to abide by international law and end its illegal full-scale war on Ukraine. We expect China to abide by international legal decisions in the South China Sea. We also expect Israel to abide by international law," she said on Monday. Speaking to Sky News Australia on Wednesday, the NSW Premier said he was not aware of the comments, but declared "the answer is no" if he was asked to equate the actions of Russia with Israel. Mr Ossip explained the Jewish community was "extremely frustrated and upset" at the federal government for its "slow" response to antisemitism since the shocking attack on Israel last year. He said the Albanese government seemed more "determined to demonise and abandon Israel" and to "play domestic politics" than to deal with the social cohesion crisis. Antisemitism in Australia had "festered" on the Albanese government's watch, Mr Ossip added, and it had now reached a "crisis point". "The Jewish community has been jumping up and down and warning the government throughout this period," he said. "It's not a surprise that we've now mounted up in a position like this."Huda Beauty’s Black Friday sale is well underway, and with up to 80 per cent off, now is the perfect time to get some Christmas shopping sorted. There are super savings to be had across some of the brand’s bestselling hero products. With deals on bundles, their iconic eyeshadow palettes and that powder that you’ve likely seen all over TikTok. When shopping the Black Friday sales, there’s certainly no right or wrong way to do things – whether you’re armed with a list weeks before or go in blind to make exciting in-the-moment decisions. But, trying to make sense of what truly is a great buy can be difficult. As a beauty expert, I’ve worked my way through Huda Beauty’s Black Friday sale to handpick the buys that I wouldn’t miss. From the cult #fauxfilter concealer to vanilla royale sugared patchouli perfume , there are so many goodies in the sale. Better still, you’ll get free gifts when spending over a certain threshold. A much-loved brand among make-up fanatics, and with a huge following, it’s easy to see why Huda Beauty’s sales gather a lot of attention. The brand is well known for its offering of make-up with rich pigments and incredible formulas, along with false lashes, skincare and perfume. There are some great bargains to be had at Huda Beauty, so I’ve unpacked everything you need to know about their Black Friday sale, and how to get those exciting free gifts. Read more: Follow live – Black Friday deals and shopping tips The colour-correcting version of the famous Huda Beauty #fauxfilter concealer has been designed to correct, even out and brighten the undereye area, with a formulation that is creamy and comfortable. Making sure that transfer is minimal, and your eye area stays picture-perfect throughout the day, the non-comedogenic formulation is sweat- and crease-proof. Now, you can get 25 per cent off thanks to Huda Beauty’s Black Friday sale. Many of the shades are selling out fast, which is no surprise as it is one of Huda Beauty’s bestselling products. But, if you’re lucky enough to get one of the liquid matte ultra-comfort transfer-proof lipsticks in the Black Friday sale, I’d edge towards the classic red shade – ‘slaytina’. Perfect for the holiday season, the liquid lipstick is suitable for eight-hour wear, making it the ideal choice for a Christmas party. The Huda Beauty easy bake loose powder secured the top place in The Independent ’s review of the best setting powders , thanks to its air-brushed finish and long-lasting formulation. This Black Friday, you can get a set of five minis for just £57. With 40 per cent off, you’ll get a set containing some of the bestselling shades – banana bread, blondie, kunafa, pound cake, and cherry blossom cake. Make sure your eyelids are sparkling as we enter 2025 with this eyeshadow palette from Huda Beauty. A reimagination of the brand's bestselling new nude palette, it contains 18 magical shades in five different textures so that you can wear it from day to night. In the bottom left, the shade ‘slippery’ is there to highlight and brighten, with a very rich, bright pink pigment. While I will occasionally dabble in brighter shades, ‘flower power’, ‘tantric’ and ‘please me’ would be the first colours to get down to the pan for me. For a natural flush across the cheeks, Huda Beauty's cheeky tint blush stick glides on beautifully, allowing for a personalised level of intensity. There are four shades to choose from, and I’d go for ‘proud pink’, for a dewy and healthy complexion (even when the winter weather has sucked all the colour out). Every false eyelash lover needs a great lash glue, and the sticky tack latex-free lash glue is now half-price. The formulation is waterproof and fast drying, leaving behind a barely-there clear trace that lasts all day long. The precise brush is particularly handy for getting back in those corners if the edges start to lift. With the Huda Beauty Black Friday sale already underway, now is the time to shop. Many of the bestselling products are flying out of stock, so I wouldn’t hang around if you need to tick off your Christmas shopping or stock up on your favourites. Bundles are one of the best ways to shop the sale, as the already discounted prices have been hit with a further reduction. You can choose from products that sit in various discount categories, from up to 30 per cent off, right up to 80 per cent off. It's also worth noting, that if you spend £115, you'll get two free gifts. For a £155 spend it's three free gifts, and four when spending £190. Find out everything you need to know about Black Friday 2024, with our expert guide
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WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump is telling the Supreme Court that he can make a deal that will resolve the national security dispute over TikTok and preserve the video site for 170 million Americans. All the justices need to do, he says, is to stand aside and suspend a pending law that could shut down TikTok on Jan. 19, the day before Trump takes office again. “President Trump alone possesses the consummate deal-making expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform,” his attorney said in a friend-of-the court brief filed Friday night. His plan might work, at least to buy more time. The justices had agreed to make a fast-track decision on the potentially momentous issue involving social media and free speech. “I think the court is likely to see great benefit in issuing a stay and little downside,” said UC Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky. “The case poses a novel and very difficult 1st Amendment issue. Never before has the government tried to ban a medium of communication, but there also is a history of judicial deference to national security claims.” Prior to Trump’s intervention, TikTok appeared to face a difficult fight in the court. The House and Senate had passed legislation by large bipartisan majorities requiring the platform to separate itself from its Chinese owner or to shut down in this country. President Biden signed the bill into law in April. And by its terms, it was due to take effect in 270 days. Although the justices are not shy about striking down federal regulations, they are wary of overturning an act of Congress, particularly one that is based on threats to national security. The U.S. appeals court in Washington cited national security when it upheld the law earlier this month. In a 3-0 decision, the judges said the law did not target speech or expression. Rather, lawmakers were convinced the Chinese parent company could gather personal data on millions of Americans, the judges said. If the law took effect on Jan. 19, Apple, Oracle and other U.S. companies could have faced large civil fines if they continued to work with TikTok. Trump’s attorney D. John Sauer filed a friend-of-the-court brief that differed in tone and substance from all the others. Rather than weigh in on the 1st Amendment question the justices had agreed to decide , he explained why Trump was better-suited to decide it. “Through his historic victory on November 5, 2024, President Trump received a powerful electoral mandate from American voters to protect the free-speech rights of all Americans — including the 170 million Americans who use TikTok,” he wrote. “Moreover, President Trump is one of the most powerful, prolific, and influential users of social media in history.” Noting that Trump has 14.7 million followers on TikTok, Sauer argued that the president-elect is well-positioned “to evaluate TikTok’s importance as a unique medium for freedom of expression, including core political speech.” He also wrote that as the founder of another social-media platform, Truth Social, Trump has “an in-depth perspective on the extraordinary government power attempted to be exercised in this case — the power of the federal government to effectively shut down a social-media platform favored by tens of millions of Americans.” “In light of these interests — including, most importantly, his overarching responsibility for the United States’ national security and foreign policy — President Trump opposes banning TikTok in the United States at this juncture, and seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.” In 2020, Trump had voiced alarm over TikTok because of its Chinese ownership. Lawmakers later heard classified briefings that convinced them the foreign ownership posed a danger. But by the time the law won approval, Trump had switched sides. He said he believed TikTok helped him win the support of young voters. “TikTok had an impact, so we’re taking a look at it,” he told reporters two weeks ago. “I have a little warm spot in my heart.” A year ago, his attorney Sauer drew criticism from some legal experts for boldly asserting that Trump as a former president had an absolute immunity from criminal charges for his official acts while in office. But in July, he won a 6-3 ruling from the Supreme Court that gave him and Trump what he had sought. Sauer is now set to represent Trump and his administration before the Supreme Court as U.S. solicitor general. He did not say precisely what the court should do now, only that it “should consider staying the statutory deadline to grant more breathing space” to the incoming administration and that one provision in the law allowed for a 90-day extension before it took effect. The court asked for responses to the competing briefs by next Friday. It scheduled two hours of argument for Jan. 10. It’s not certain the justices will readily comply with Trump’s request. Two weeks ago, former Trump attorney Noel Francisco filed an appeal on TikTok’s behalf urging the justices to put the law on hold for a brief period. But the justices brushed aside that suggestion and said they would decide whether divestiture law violated the 1st Amendment. “I am skeptical Trump’s intervention will make a difference,” said Alan Rozenshtein, a University of Minnesota law professor who has written about the pending law. He noted that the Supreme Court denied TikTok’s request to stay the law because it did not think TikTok could meet the requirements for a stay: a reasonable chance of winning on the merits. “Trump’s argument does not change that,” he said. “It may be bad luck for TikTok (and Trump) that the law goes into effect the day before inauguration, but such is life.”VÍDEOS: DF2 de quarta-feira, 11 de dezembro de 2024Martyn’s Law clears Commons as minister declares ‘it is time to get this done’Harry Kane sets incredible Bundesliga record after bagging another hat-trick for Bayern Munich