Hague Special Court Hits Former Kosovar President With Witness Tampering ChargesOn pardons, Biden weighs whether to flex presidential powers in broad new ways
More than 200,000 asylum seekers and migrants have arrived in the US city in the past two years. Many fear deportation under Trump. Manhattan, New York – On a brisk autumn day, Diana Zarate stood on a New York City sidewalk, surrounded by a clump of her family’s suitcases and backpacks. Towering above her was the Roosevelt Hotel , a sprawling 850-room facility that has served as a migrant shelter since 2023. The hotel had been the 33-year-old Venezuelan’s home for the past two months. But as the United States prepares for a new presidential administration, the Roosevelt Hotel has also become a symbol of the uncertainty facing the city’s migrants and asylum seekers. Since 2014, New York City has limited its cooperation with federal authorities seeking to deport “unauthorised” residents of the metropolis, embracing its identity as a “ sanctuary city “. But with Donald Trump returning to the White House in January, Zarate and others fear what might lie ahead in the coming months. “Trump said he was going to do the biggest deportation and remove political asylum,” Zarate, an asylum applicant, told Al Jazeera with a gloomy look. “That worries me because I am coming to this country to work to give a better future to my children.” New York in the spotlight Zarate, her husband Rogel and their two kids were preparing to leave the Roosevelt Hotel less than 48 hours after Trump won the 2024 presidential election . For Zarate, the city’s shelter system had been a lifeline. But it came with an expiration date. Under city bylaws, asylum-seeking families are largely restricted to 60 days in shelters before facing eviction. Single adults often have even less time. “My time at Roosevelt is almost over,” Zarate explained, as she waited for a car from a ride-hailing service to take them to a new shelter. Dubbed the “new Ellis Island” of New York City, the Roosevelt Hotel has welcomed upwards of 150,000 migrants and asylum seekers from more than 160 countries since reopening as a shelter. The line regularly seen outside its doors has become a symbol of the crisis the city faces. Since 1981, New York City has had a policy of offering housing to those without shelter. But that policy has come under pressure amid an uptick of new arrivals from abroad. The city has absorbed more than 214,000 migrants and asylum seekers since 2022. They joined the ranks of the approximately 400,000 undocumented immigrants already living in the city, some for decades. Some recent arrivals were drawn to New York for its employment opportunities. Others have family in the region. Still more have been sent by Republican governors on buses , as part of a programme to transport migrants and asylum seekers to Democratic jurisdictions. At the peak of the recent influx, New York City came to operate more than 200 shelters, including more than a dozen relief stations, which provided temporary housing, food and services for migrants and asylum seekers. But officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, have voiced concern that the city’s resources have been overstretched. New York City projects that it will spend at least $12bn on addressing the immigration crisis through 2025. That struggle has generated public outcry — and political backlash. Trump himself visited the city, his hometown, in the final stretch of his 2024 re-election campaign. On October 27, he held a rally at the famed Madison Square Garden arena, where he claimed that “savage” criminals were flooding into the country. “They’re coming from all over the world,” Trump said. “The day I take the oath of office, the migrant invasion of our country ends, and the restoration of our country begins.” “They’ve even taken over Times Square,” he added, referencing the commercial heart of New York City. ‘No more sanctuary cities’ Zarate’s story is just one of many in New York’s sprawling migrant crisis. Zarate and her family entered the US legally approximately 10 months ago in the twilight of President Joe Biden’s administration. She had been banking on Vice President Kamala Harris winning the presidency in November’s race. Now, she is terrified of what the future holds. “It was my wish for Kamala Harris to win,” Zarate said. “If she were president, my family would be safer.” In Zarate’s case, she and her family were forced to flee Venezuela where they had endured chronic poverty as a result of President Nicolas Maduro ‘s leadership. A federal judge is set to rule on Zarate’s asylum application in July 2025. “I left Venezuela because the situation is very difficult and the economy is on the floor,” Zarate explained. As Zarate spoke, other families funnelled into the Roosevelt Hotel, carrying tote bags of clothes. Young mothers held crying infants, while others hauled luggage into Uber cars and sped off. Moments later, Zarate herself gathered her family’s luggage and scampered across the street towards a rideshare taxi. They piled into the black Ford SUV and disappeared as their driver pulled onto 45th Street and into the blur of midtown traffic. Zarate’s fears are echoed by many migrants and asylum seekers across the city, who see Trump’s surprise return to the White House as a direct threat to their fragile foothold in the US. On his first day in office, Trump has pledged to launch “the largest deportation programme of criminals” in the country’s history — and has affirmed plans to declare a national emergency so he can deploy the military to expel undocumented migrants. His administration also plans to scrap visa-free “protected status” for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan nationals in the country. In September, Trump announced as well that he would take aim at so-called “sanctuary cities” like New York. “No more sanctuary cities,” he said at a campaign stop in North Carolina. “As soon as I take office, we will immediately surge federal law enforcement to every city that is failing, which is a lot of them, to turn over criminal aliens.” Already, Mayor Adams, a centrist Democrat, has agreed to work with the Trump administration’s plans. “I made it clear that I’m not going to be warring with this administration. I’m going to be working with this administration,” Adams said at a news conference in early December. He added that he had arranged to speak with Trump’s incoming “border czar” Tom Homan this month, a meeting that ultimately came to pass on Thursday. It is unclear to what extent the city will cooperate with Trump’s deportation plans. “I don’t believe in mass deportation, but I don’t believe in mass saturation,” Adams said on the talk show The View shortly after the election. After his meeting with Homan, Adams indicated that “law-abiding” migrants and asylum seekers were welcome to use city services, but he added, “We will not be the safe haven for those who commit violent acts.” Homan, meanwhile, has struck an adversarial stance towards cities that might fail to comply with Trump directives. “If we can’t get assistance from New York City, we may have to double the number of agents we send to New York City,” Homan told Fox News in November. “Because we’re going to do the job. We’re going to do the job without you or with you.” Protests ahead Outside the Roosevelt Hotel, another Venezuelan asylum seeker, 30-year-old Anthony Morales, rolled a cannabis cigarette. Like Zarate, the young father was also concerned about what Trump might mean for the city. “What Trump said is worrying,” Morales told Al Jazeera. “It would be very sad for many immigrants who have still fought to get here to be deported without being given the opportunity to get ahead.” Morales, soon to be a father for the second time, arrived in New York City from Caracas four months ago with his pregnant partner, who is due in January. He too fears deportation under a second Trump administration if his asylum application is rejected. “I would feel very bad because of everything we went through,” Morales explained. “Not only the money but the entire journey: the suffering, the trips on the trains, the unstoppable walks. Sometimes, it was very hard.” Elora Mukherjee, the director of the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at Columbia University, said that trepidation is widespread as a new Trump presidency looms. “So many immigrants — those who are undocumented as well as those who are seeking immigration relief, such as those who are seeking asylum — are extremely scared right now,” Mukherjee told Al Jazeera. Mukherjee explained that she has been flooded with calls and texts from migrants and asylum seekers whose futures now hang in the balance. She described the overall sentiment as a “climate of terror”. “That fear is prevalent in immigrant communities here in New York City, but also nationwide,” she said. Mukherjee, however, noted that individuals with pending immigration applications, such as asylum claims or adjustment-of-status requests, are generally less likely to face detention and deportation. For example, it is legal under US law to cross into the country to escape persecution and file a claim of asylum. Asylum seekers are generally allowed to remain on US soil while their claim is processed. However, Mukherjee pointed out that those who have no such claim face a higher risk of deportation. So too do long-term residents with criminal records and those perceived as security threats. “These are individuals who are embedded in our communities, in our daily life, in the New York City service sector, in grocery deliveries and selling fruits and vegetables at food stands throughout the city,” Mukherjee explained. Under current federal policy , US Immigration and Customs (ICE) agents cannot enter “sensitive” locations like shelters, hospitals, schools and religious institutions where their presence might discourage people from seeking vital services. Agents must receive a judicial warrant first. But even with restrictions in place, thousands of people are deported from the US each year. The Migration Policy Institute anticipates that the outgoing Biden administration is on track to match the 1.5 million people Trump deported during his first term, from 2017 to 2021. Already, migrant rights protests have cropped up around New York as Trump’s inauguration approaches. Mukherjee predicts there will be more activism in the months ahead. “We may see protests. We may see communities banding together to try to protect those who may be undocumented within their communities,” she said. “And I expect that there will be significant organising to protect immigrants’ rights here, in New York City.” Shifting trends Across the Harlem River, on Randall’s Island, the shifts in New York’s immigration crisis can be felt the strongest. Sandwiched between Manhattan and Queens, Randall’s Island is home to the city’s largest migrant shelter. Roughly 2,250 migrants and asylum seekers live in a gigantic tent complex, enduring what critics call cramped and sometimes “inhumane” conditions. But that shelter is soon to close . In October, Mayor Adams announced that arrivals of migrants and asylum seekers in the city had started to decline, leading to the city’s lowest rate in more than a year. “We have turned the corner on this crisis,” said Adams. “We’re not scrambling every day to open new shelters. We’re talking about closing them.” The tent shelter at Randall’s Island is slated to shutter in February. Still, staff at the shelter said they have seen an explosion of migrants rushing to file asylum claims, work authorisation applications and other documents to help bolster their immigration status before Trump takes office. “Everybody’s trying to get their stuff together — take resources, look for things,” one city case worker told Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity. “None of them were doing that, so now that it’s crunch time, they want to do it.” For migrants, gathering the proper materials — like paperwork to prove their identity or make a case for persecution — can be difficult, though. “They’re coming here with nothing,” the case worker explained. Cruz Salazar, 40, was among those trying to get his paperwork in order before Trump’s inauguration. Salazar, a former oilfield mechanic in Venezuela, filed for asylum after crossing into the US with the help of the Red Cross, a humanitarian nonprofit. His next court date is set for February. Without a lawyer to advise him though, he has been relying on shelter employees to help build his case. He has also applied for a work permit: He now labours at a construction job in Yonkers. “They are facilitating getting those documents,” Salazar said of the shelter staff. “Ninety percent of the people are coming here, they come to work. But that 10 percent that doesn’t — it’s bad for the rest of us.” He fears that his asylum application could be denied, putting him at risk of deportation under the Trump administration. “Certainly with immigration, this is a disaster,” Salazar said of the recent election. “If you look Black, Latino, it doesn’t matter if you’re good or bad. They’re going to deport everybody.” Still, Salazar said he had “mixed feelings” about Trump, whom he described as “the best option” on this year’s ballot. Other migrants and asylum seekers shared his ambivalence. ‘Why fear Trump?’ On a sunny day outside the tent shelter, several people hawked canned drinks and toiletries at an open-air market along the riverbank. Barbers gave outdoor haircuts while a sunbathing couple blasted reggaeton music on a portable speaker. Salazar himself sat under a set of clippers wielded by 26-year-old Venezuelan barber and asylum seeker Victor Lopez, who was charging $15 a cut. The young barber said he would have voted for Trump in an instant if he had been eligible. He identifies with Trump’s image as a scrappy businessman. “Why fear Trump?” Lopez told Al Jazeera as he traced Salazar’s hairline with a buzzer. He emphasised that Trump’s focus was on deporting criminals. “He hasn’t said everybody will be deported.” Lopez was sceptical Trump would give him the boot, estimating he had a “50/50” shot at remaining in the country, depending on his asylum application. Asylum denial rates can reach as high as 54.5 percent , according to US government statistics, but many more claims are dismissed for other reasons, including missed deadlines. “If I do things properly, maybe they don’t deport me,” Lopez said stoically. “But you never know. You have to just accept the situation.” Salem Allabouch, 26, a Moroccan national who arrived at the US-Mexico border earlier this year, was equally unburdened by the prospect of a second Trump presidency. He had crisscrossed three continents and more than half a dozen countries before touching US soil. “No, I’m not afraid. I don’t worry,” Allabouch told Al Jazeera. “I am with Donald Trump. He’s good. He loves his country. That’s it. He’s going to make America great again.” While Allabouch admitted that Trump was “not good for immigration”, he said he had faith that the president-elect would not send him back to Morocco. “I think he’s not going to [deport] everyone — people who are criminals, that’s it,” Allabouch explained. “But the people who are working good, pay the tax — I don’t think he’s going to deport them.” Still, not everyone at the Randall’s Island facility was convinced of smooth sailing ahead. Sudytza, another Venezuelan asylum seeker living at Randall’s Island, declined to give her last name out of fear of reprisal. But she said she was bracing for the impending Trump presidency. “As far as I know, Donald Trump is going to kick out everybody that is not in the migration process,” Sudytza told Al Jazeera. Since arriving in the US, Sudytza said she has followed federal immigration procedures by the book — and had taken numerous legal steps to insulate herself from any potential deportation measures. She vowed to stick it out under a Trump White House. “I’m already in the process,” said Sudytza. “I have my court date already. The attorney told me that even if Donald Trump wants to deport me, he cannot do it. I entered the United States of America legally. I entered with humanitarian parole, and my court date is in four years.” She confessed Trump’s threats did not seem all that scary compared with the horrors she witnessed on her journey to the US. Sudytza explained that the bus she took to reach the border had been intercepted by Mexican cartel members. They kidnapped her and other passengers at gunpoint, placing them in cages. They were only released after they collectively paid nearly $1,000 in ransom money. Salazar, meanwhile, said he fears living in purgatory for the rest of his days — particularly if his asylum application is rejected. Venezuela currently refuses to accept US deportees , even if they themselves are Venezuelan. Trump’s administration may have to deport him to a whole other country, where Salazar would once again have to file for immigration status. “They’re saying that Venezuelans that are here [in the US] — they’re not going to accept us any more,” Salazar said. “My own country doesn’t even accept us. Where am I going to go?” With additional reporting from Vicente de Juan Morales.(The Center Square) – Homeowners in the market for washers and dryers may have better-performing options to choose from in the near future due to a bill limiting the extent of energy efficiency mandates on laundry appliances passing the U.S. House. The Republican-led House Resolution 1612 , or Liberty in Laundry Act, would prohibit the Secretary of Energy from enforcing energy conservation standards for clothes washers or dryers that “are not cost-effective or technologically feasible.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill rallied around Pete Hegseth , Trump’s Pentagon pick, on Thursday even as new details surfaced about allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman in 2017. The GOP embrace of Hegseth came as another controversial Trump nominee, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration for attorney general. Gaetz said it was clear he had become a “distraction" amid pressure on the House to release an ethics report about allegations of his own sexual misconduct. An attorney for two women has said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. People are also reading... Bomb cyclone, flood risk in Benton County this week OSU women's basketball: An early look at this edition of the Beavers Albany's Joel Dahl pleads guilty to sex crime involving minor OSU football: Beavers' season hits a new low in loss at Air Force Strike over: Benton County, union reach tentative deal What's available from Benton County services as strike nears Week 2 As I See It: Corvallis' failure to care for homeless is not because it can't Republic Services resubmits landfill expansion, here's what's new Albany mom suspected of drowning her child to use mental health defense Philomath city councilor resigns, cites conflict with new job American flag thrown by driver fleeing Benton County deputies OSU football: It's time to look ahead to next year Sweet Home man sentenced for crash that injured his daughter Albany dog badly hurt, possibly shot, during brief escape In trying to flee, suspect accused of driving over Albany police officer Fresh questions over the two nominees' pasts, and their treatment of women, arose with Republicans under pressure from Trump and his allies to quickly confirm his Cabinet. At the same time, his transition has so far balked at the vetting and background checks that have traditionally been required. While few Republican senators have publicly criticized any of Trump's nominees, it became clear after Gaetz's withdrawal that many had been harboring private concerns about him. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, said it was a “positive move.” Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker said it was a “positive development.” Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” After meeting with Hegseth, though, Republicans rallied around him. “I think he’s going to be in pretty good shape,” said Wicker, who is expected to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee in the next Congress. Republican senators' careful words, and their early reluctance to publicly question Trump's picks, illustrated not only their fear of retribution from the incoming president but also some of their hopes that the confirmation process can proceed normally, with proper vetting and background checks that could potentially disqualify problematic nominees earlier. Gaetz withdrew after meeting with senators on Wednesday. Sen. Thom Tillis said Gaetz was “in a pressure cooker” when he decided to withdraw, but suggested that it would have little bearing on Trump’s other nominees. “Transactions — one at a time,” he said. As the Hegseth nomination proceeds, Republicans also appear to be betting that they won't face much backlash for publicly setting aside the allegations of sexual misconduct — especially after Trump won election after being found liable for sexual abuse last year. Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance on Thursday in an attempt to shore up support and told reporters afterward: “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.” A 22-page police report report made public late Wednesday offered the first detailed account of the allegations against him. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth. Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Palatore, said the incident was “fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false.” Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit, Palatore has said. Wicker played down the allegations against Hegseth, a former Fox News host, saying that “since no charges were brought from the authorities, we only have press reports.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said after his meeting with Hegseth that he "shared with him the fact that I was saddened by the attacks that are coming his way.” Hagerty dismissed the allegations as “a he-said, she-said thing” and called it a “shame” that they were being raised at all. The senator said attention should instead be focused on the Defense Department that Hegseth would head. It's one of the most complex parts of the federal government with more than 3 million employees, including military service members and civilians. Sexual assault has been a persistent problem in the military, though Pentagon officials have been cautiously optimistic they are seeing a decline in reported sexual assaults among active-duty service members and the military academies. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who will be the No. 2 Republican in the Senate next year, said after his meeting with Hegseth that the nominee is a strong candidate who “pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power – not the current administration’s woke political agenda.” Senate Republicans are under pressure to hold hearings once they take office in January and confirm nominees as soon as Trump is inaugurated, despite questions about whether Trump’s choices will be properly screened or if some, like Hegseth, have enough experience for the job. Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, who will be the top Democrat on the panel next year, said the reports on Hegseth “emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the FBI on the background of all the nominees.” It takes a simple majority to approve Cabinet nominations, meaning that if Democrats all opposed a nominee, four Republican senators would also have to defect for any Trump choice to be defeated. Trump has made clear he’s willing to put maximum pressure on Senate Republicans to give him the nominees he wants – even suggesting at one point that they allow him to just appoint his nominees with no Senate votes. But senators insist, for now, that they are not giving up their constitutional power to have a say. “The president has the right to make the nominations that he sees fit, but the Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent,” said Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. In the case of Gaetz, he said, “I think there was advice offered rather than consent.” Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
LONDON: Thousands of people from the Middle East were trafficked into Europe through a vast people smuggling network based out of a British car wash. In an operation that at times resembled a travel agency, people from Syria, Iraq and Iran were offered different tiers of service to be smuggled into Europe by various routes. Two men pleaded guilty in a UK court on Friday to charges related to their roles in the people smuggling ring. The UK’s National Crime Agency said Dilshad Shamo, 41, and Ali Khdir, 40, operated from the unlikely location of a car wash in Caerphilly, a town in Wales. They were arrested in April 2023 after they had been placed under surveillance as part of an investigation that found they were trafficking about 100 people a week over a period of two years, the BBC reported. The men used messaging and social media apps to advertise their services with videos from people who had made the journeys. One video shows a man hidden in the back of a truck with other migrants. “Lorry route agreement, crossing agreement with the knowledge of driver,” he says. “Here we have men, women and children. Thank God the route was easy and good.” Another video shows a family traveling by plane. “We are very happy ... this is the visa, may God bless him, we are really happy,” the migrant says. Shamo and Khdir offered three tiers of service, the lowest being smuggling people into Europe by foot or vehicle; the next by cargo ships or yachts; and the highest level arranged travel by plane. The smuggling routes went through Turkiye, Belarus, Moldova and Bosnia and ended in Italy, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Germany and France. The NCA said many of the migrants continued to the UK. Payment was made using informal “hawala” money transfers through brokers based in Iraq and Istanbul. Once a deposit was made, Shamo and Khdir would receive a message and arrange for the migrants to be transported by their specified route or timeframe. The two men used WhatsApp to communicate with people smugglers across Europe. The NCA said they were part of a larger organized crime group and could have made hundreds of thousands or millions of pounds that is unlikely to be recovered, the BBC reported. “Ali Khdir and Dilshad Shamo were leading a double life,” NCA Branch Commander Derek Evans said. “While on the surface they seemed to be operating a successful car wash, they were actually part of a prolific people smuggling group moving migrants across Europe and taking thousands in payment. “We worked painstakingly to piece together their movements to prove their important roles in a group, from advertising their services through videos to boasting of successful trips on messaging groups.” The UK’s Minister for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle said criminals like Khdir and Shamo put countless lives at risk by smuggling vulnerable people in a “shameless attempt to make cash.” She added: “We are taking action against the people smuggling gangs and will stop at nothing to dismantle their networks and bring justice to the system.” Shamo and Khdir pleaded guilty 10 days into their trial at Cardiff Crown Court and will be sentenced at a later date. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer made smashing people smuggling gangs a key pledge of his election campaign earlier this year. He has vowed to treat traffickers like terrorists and announced a new Border Security Command with additional powers to track human traffickers and shut down their bank accounts. Politicians in the EU are battling to stem public anger at rising immigration with more than 380,000 illegal border crossings made into the EU in 2023. Many fear that if conflicts in the Middle East escalate, Europe could face a steep rise in illegal migration similar to 2015 at the height of the Syrian Civil War.
The Dynamic Intersection of Technology and Investment In an ever-evolving digital landscape, Amazon.com Inc.’s stock (NASDAQ: AMZN) is more than just a financial ticker symbol; it’s emerging as a vital player in the future of gaming. As Amazon broadens its footprint in cloud computing and AI technologies, particularly through its AWS division, the potential market disruptions in the gaming sector are profound. Game-Changing Technologies Amazon’s investment in cloud computing directly influences game streaming services. Amazon Luna, the company’s cloud gaming platform, leverages this technological might, promising a future where high-quality gaming is accessible without the need for powerful hardware. This strategic move positions Amazon at the forefront of a gaming revolution, potentially rivaling established competitors like Google Stadia and Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming. Investment in AI and Machine Learning Furthermore, Amazon’s heavy investment in AI technology is fostering new frontiers in game development and user interaction. By integrating advanced AI, Amazon aims to enhance gaming experiences, making games more immersive and interactive. This forward-thinking approach not only drives innovation within the company but also attracts investors keen on future-proofing their portfolios through technology-driven growth. The Road Ahead The burgeoning synthesis of Amazon’s stock with advanced technologies hints at a promising future in the gaming sector. For gamers and investors alike, keeping an eye on Amazon’s stock is crucial as it unfolds its potential to redefine gaming dynamics. The evolution of this digital Titan is set to continue driving transformative trends across the industry. Is Amazon Set to Disrupt the Gaming Industry with Its Technological Advancements? In the ever-evolving realm of technology and investment, Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) is prominently positioning itself as a key influencer in the gaming industry’s future landscape. With strategic investments in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, Amazon is poised to become a leader in reshaping gaming experiences globally. Innovations and Trends in Cloud Gaming Amazon’s significant strides in cloud computing, particularly through AWS, are paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in the gaming sector. Amazon Luna, the company’s venture into cloud gaming, leverages these capabilities to remove the dependency on high-end gaming hardware. This shift could democratize access to top-tier gaming, positioning Amazon as a formidable competitor to Google’s Stadia and Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming. As cloud gaming continues to gain traction, Amazon’s deepened focus on this area is likely to bring about further innovations. The company’s robust infrastructure ensures that it can deliver exceptional gaming experiences with minimal latency and high reliability. These technological benefits provide Amazon the leverage needed to capture a significant share of the gaming market. Pros and Cons of Amazon’s Approach Pros: – Accessibility: With cloud gaming, players can access AAA games on less powerful devices, broadening the audience base. – Innovation in Gaming: Leveraging AI and machine learning to create more dynamic and personalized gaming experiences. – Scalable Infrastructure: AWS provides the necessary backbone to support vast gaming ecosystems seamlessly. Cons: – Market Competition: Strong competitors like Google and Microsoft with established platforms could be challenging to outpace. – Infrastructure Dependency: Seamless performance hinges on stable internet connectivity, which may not be uniformly available globally. Potential Limitations and Concerns While Amazon’s technological investments promise exciting possibilities, there are inherent challenges to consider. The success of cloud gaming platforms like Luna relies heavily on network reliability and data center efficiency, highlighting geographic disparities in network quality as a possible hurdle. Moreover, integrating AI into gaming for enhanced interactivity raises privacy and data security concerns, necessitating stringent protocols to safeguard user information. Sustainability and Predictions Amazon’s focus on sustainable practices extends to its gaming ventures, as energy-efficient data centers and renewable energy sources are integral to its long-term strategy. As eco-conscious gaming gains importance, Amazon’s commitment to sustainability could enhance its appeal, especially among environmentally aware consumers. Looking ahead, Amazon’s continued investment in gaming is likely to set new industry standards. Predictions suggest that if Amazon leverages its technological resources effectively, it could redefine gaming forecasts through unmatched scalability and innovative experiences. These efforts could lead to partnerships and integrations with game developers eager to utilize Amazon’s cutting-edge technology. As the intersection of technology and gaming continues to evolve, Amazon’s strategic moves could lead to significant transformations in the sector. For investors and technology enthusiasts, observing Amazon’s journey provides insights into the future of interactive entertainment and showcases the potential of this digital titan.Wild first season in expanded Big 12 comes down to final weekend
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Taylor Swift once raved about the sweet potato casserole served at a New York City restaurant and now that recipe pops up every now and again at Thanksgiving. The holidays encourage many of us to try new recipes. Social media right now is flooded with recipes for appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Anyone making from TikTok? While we might not get to share a Thanksgiving feast with Swift — is your name Blake Lively? — or other celebrities beloved by Kansas City, we can eat like them. So here’s the recipe for that casserole Swift loved so much, and favorite family side dish recipes from Donna Kelce and Eric Stonestreet. Enjoy. Donna Kelce’s dinner rolls If we tried to guess Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce, have scarfed over the years, would it be in the hundreds? Thousands? Their mom has spoken often about the batches of holiday crescent rolls she has baked over the years. Based on the recipe that won the 1969 Pillsbury Bake-Off, , they’re now known as Mama Kelce’s Dinner Rolls. They blend the crescent roll pastry with marshmallows, cinnamon and sugar. We bet they didn’t last long enough in front of Travis and Jason for that debate. •1/4 cup granulated sugar •2 tablespoons Pillsbury Best all-purpose flour •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon •2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count) •16 large marshmallows •1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted •1/2 cup powdered sugar •1/2 teaspoon vanilla •2-3 teaspoons milk •1/4 cup chopped nuts Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 16 medium muffin cups with nonstick baking spray. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon. Separate the dough into 16 triangles. For each roll, dip 1 marshmallow into melted butter; roll in the sugar mixture. Place marshmallow on the shortest side of a triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side and rolling to opposite point. Completely cover the marshmallow with the dough; firmly pinch edges to seal. Dip 1 end in remaining butter; place butter side down in muffin cup. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. When done, remove from the oven and let the puffs cool in the pan for 1 minute. Remove rolls from muffin cups; place on cooling racks set over waxed paper. In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve warm. Eric Stonestreet’s Roasted Brussels Sprouts Thanksgiving is one of the “Modern Family” star’s favorite holidays. Three years ago, as part of a , he shared one of his favorite recipe with McCormick Spices: . This recipe serves eight. •1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved •1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes •1 tablespoon olive oil •1/2 teaspoon garlic powder •1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves •1/2 teaspoon salt •1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper •5 slices bacon, chopped •1 shallot, finely chopped •1/2 cup dried cranberries •1/4 cup balsamic vinegar •1 teaspoon whole grain mustard •1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional) •1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, (optional) 1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Spray large shallow baking pan with no stick cooking spray; set aside. Place Brussels sprouts and squash in large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper; toss to coat evenly. Spread in single layer on prepared pan. 2. Roast 16 to 18 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring halfway through cooking. 3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in medium skillet on medium heat about 6 minutes or until crispy. Remove using slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Add shallot to same skillet; cook and stir 2 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Stir in cranberries, vinegar and mustard until well blended. Transfer mixture to small bowl; set aside. 4. Arrange roasted Brussels sprouts and squash on serving platter. Drizzle with cranberry balsamic glaze and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cooked bacon, toasted pecans, and crumbled blue cheese, if desired. Serve immediately. Taylor Swift’s favorite sweet potato casserole Swift gushed about the sweet potato casserole served at Del Frisco’s Grille in New York City, a dish crowned with a crunchy candied pecan and oatmeal crumble. “I’ve never enjoyed anything with the word casserole in it ever before, but it’s basically sweet potatoes with this brown sugary crust,” she told InStyle. The media rushed to find the recipe, which Parade has . “Similar to T. Swift herself, we think this recipe is a mastermind, especially if you’ve been asked to bring the sweet potato side dish to this year’s Thanksgiving feast. It seriously begs the question: who needs pumpkin pie?” the magazine writes. •4 lbs sweet potatoes •1⁄3 cup oats •12 oz unsalted butter, divided •1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar •1⁄2 cup toasted pecans •1⁄2 cup granulated sugar •1 tsp kosher salt •2 tsp vanilla extract •4 large eggs, beaten Preheat oven to 375°F. 1. Scrub sweet potatoes. Pierce each several times with a fork and wrap tightly in foil. Place on a sheet pan. Bake 90 minutes or until tender. Set aside until cool enough to handle. 2. Meanwhile, place oats in a food processor; process 1 minute. Add 4 oz butter, brown sugar and pecans; pulse five times to combine. Spread mixture on a baking sheet; bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven, crumble. Bake 5 minutes or until golden brown. 3. Melt remaining 8 oz butter. Remove skin from cooled sweet potatoes. In a large bowl, whisk sweet potatoes, melted butter, granulated sugar and remaining ingredients until slightly lumpy. Transfer to a greased baking dish, smoothing surface evenly. Top with oat mixture. Bake 12 minutes or until heated through. •Sweet potato filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. Prepare the sweet potato filling, cool, place in a casserole dish and keep refrigerated. •Oat-pecan crust can also be made up to 2 days ahead. Make the crust according to recipe directions, cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Sprinkle over the sweet potato filling just before baking. More Thanksgiving recipes[Opinion column written by Shomari Talbot-Woolridge] The recent op-ed, What About the Youth?, raises important questions about the challenges facing young Bermudians. However, it fails to acknowledge the steps the Progressive Labour Party [PLP] has taken to address those issues while conveniently ignoring the failures of the One Bermuda Alliance [OBA] when they held the reins of government. There’s no denying that young people in Bermuda are grappling with significant obstacles. The rising cost of living, lack of affordable housing, and limited employment opportunities create barriers to success. For many, dreams of higher education or home ownership feel increasingly out of reach. These are real issues that demand urgent action, and the PLP is delivering them. The high cost of living remains one of Bermuda’s most pressing issues. Young people often feel the brunt of this, with skyrocketing rents, stagnant wages, and limited affordable options for higher education. These challenges are compounded by the economic pressures of the post-COVID era, which has exacerbated income inequality and job insecurity. Mental health is another critical area. Young Bermudians are navigating a rapidly changing world, and the pressures of modern life are taking a toll. This is why the government’s focus on mental health—through initiatives like the Youth Mental Health Summit and expanded access to services—is so essential. Critics who claim the government has ignored the needs of young people overlook the significant strides the PLP has made. Under the PLP, funding for scholarships has been restored and expanded after being gutted by the OBA. Programs like the National Education Scholarship, the Further Education Award, and the Bermuda College Promise are opening doors for students who might otherwise be left behind. These initiatives ensure that financial barriers don’t dictate a young person’s future. Recognizing that not all careers require a university degree, the PLP has introduced vocational training programs tailored to Bermuda’s economic needs. Partnerships with local industries are creating pathways to well-paying jobs in technology, renewable energy, and agriculture. The government is tackling mental health head-on, recognizing its critical role in young people’s lives. Investments in school-based services and community resources are providing much-needed support to those struggling with anxiety, depression, and other challenges. While the cost of living remains high, the PLP is taking steps to provide relief. From expanding affordable housing initiatives to increasing benefits for HIP and FutureCare participants, these policies are laying the groundwork for a fairer and more affordable Bermuda. The contrast with the OBA could not be clearer. During their tenure, scholarship funding was slashed, leaving countless students without the means to pursue higher education. The now-famous student sit-in of 2016, where young Bermudians protested at the House of Assembly, highlighted the depth of frustration and disillusionment under the OBA’s leadership. Their demands for better funding and support were met with indifference and inaction. Additionally, the OBA’s neglect of public education and youth programs led to an erosion of trust among young Bermudians. Promises of “shared sacrifice” resulted in cuts to vital services while failing to address systemic issues like income inequality and job creation. While it’s easy to critique, solutions require vision and effort. The PLP has consistently demonstrated its commitment to addressing Bermuda’s challenges, particularly those affecting our youth. Could we do more? Of course—there is always room for improvement. But the Opposition’s record of neglect leaves them ill-equipped to lecture on supporting young people. Instead of recycling tired talking points, the OBA should join the government in developing constructive solutions. Bermuda’s young people deserve more than empty criticism; they deserve action. The PLP is focused on building a Bermuda that works for everyone, particularly our youth. Whether through expanded scholarships, mental health support, or workforce readiness programs, the government is investing in the next generation. The challenges we face are significant, but together, we can create a future where every young Bermudian has the opportunity to thrive. The path forward requires collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to bold solutions. The PLP is ready for that challenge. Is the Opposition? :
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BOULDER, Colo. — Travis Hunter is a throwback-type player — an elite receiver one moment, a lockdown cornerback the next — who rarely leaves the field and has a knack for making big plays all over it. The Colorado Buffaloes' two-way standout (see: unicorn) even celebrates at an elite level, unveiling imaginative dance moves following touchdowns and interceptions, some of which include the Heisman Trophy pose. It's one of the many awards he's in line to win. Hunter is the The Associated Press college football player of the year, receiving 26 of 43 votes Thursday from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote. "Couldn't do what I do without my team," Hunter said in an email on a trip to Las Vegas for an awards ceremony. "So I view being up for these awards as team awards." A player with his particular set of skills doesn't come around that often. He's a flashback to the days of Charles Woodson at Michigan or Champ Bailey at Georgia. Or even his coach, Deion Sanders, a two-way star in the NFL. The prospect of significant playing time on both sides of the ball is what led Hunter to join Sanders at Jackson State and why he followed Sanders to Boulder. "Coach Prime was the only coach who would consider allowing me to do what I'm doing," said Hunter, who's expected to be a top-five pick next spring in the NFL draft, possibly even the No. 1 overall selection. "He did it and knows what it takes — how much you have to be ready on both sides of the ball." Want to fuel Hunter? Simply tell him he can't. "I'm motivated when people tell me I can't do something," Hunter said. "That I can't dominate on both sides of the ball. I want to be an example for others that anything is possible. Keep pursuing your dreams." Hunter helped the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record this season and a berth in the Alamo Bowl against No. 17 BYU (10-2) on Dec. 28. He played 688 defensive snaps and 672 more on offense — the lone Power Four conference player with 30-plus snaps on both sides of the ball, according to Colorado research. Hunter has already won a second straight Paul Hornung award as the game's most versatile player. He's up for the Walter Camp (player of the year), Maxwell (most outstanding player), the Biletnikoff (best receiver) and Bednarik (top defensive player) awards. And, of course, the Heisman, where he's the odds-on favorite to win over Jeanty this weekend. Hunter can join the late Rashaan Salaam as the only Colorado players to capture the Heisman. Salaam won it in 1994 after rushing for 2,055 yards. Hunter wasn't a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the nation's top defensive back. That drew the wrath of Sanders, who earned the award with Florida State in 1988 and vowed to give his trophy to Hunter. Hunter's high school coach, Lenny Gregory, knew he had a special player the summer of Hunter's freshman year. Gregory, then the coach at Collins Hill in Georgia, had a conditioning test for his players — run six 200-yard dashes with a minute rest in between. Defensive backs had to complete each in under 32 seconds. Hunter never even got winded. He played safety/cornerback and receiver as a freshman and helped Collins Hill to a state title his senior season. "I remember just talking to colleges the spring of his ninth-grade year and telling coaches that this kid's going to be the No. 1 player in the country," recounted Gregory, who's now the coach at Gordon Central High in Calhoun, Georgia. "They'd look at him and laugh at me, 'What are you talking about? This scrawny kid? He's not big enough.' I was like, 'Just watch. Just watch.'" Hunter finished the regular season with 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. On defense, he had four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and forced one crucial fumble, which secured an OT win over Baylor. Overall, Hunter had 92 receptions and allowed 22. He hauled in 14 receiving TDs and allowed just one. He was responsible for 53 first downs and gave up just six. He was targeted 119 times by Shedeur Sanders & Co. but only 39 times by opposing QBs. Hunter's likely final game in Boulder, a rout of Oklahoma State, was a three-touchdown, one-interception performance. "I'm used to seeing him do all this spectacular stuff," Shedeur Sanders said. "I'm used to all this stuff — you all are just now seeing it on national stage." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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