Flowers for Onyema Ugochukwu’s octogenarian ascentNigeria’s Future Depends On Technology, Cybersecurity – Dr. OniyaVermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders is no fan of Republicans. But the outspoken 83-year-old liberal also has when it comes to his own former party, the Democrats. (From every indication, Sanders still harbors resentment over the way he was passed over for the Democrat presidential nomination in 2016, in favor of failed presidential candidate .) As much as Sanders is still no fan of conservatism, his disdain for the current state of the Democratic Party appears to be reaching a tipping point. So festering is Sanders’ frustration of the current political climate, he chose — perhaps — the strangest bedfellow imaginable: eccentric billionaire, tech mogul, and co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency, . Seriously. You can check out Sanders’ viral endorsement of Musk below: Elon Musk is right. The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. It’s lost track of billions. Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud. That must change. — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) “Elon Musk is right,” Sanders posted to X on Sunday. “The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. It’s lost track of billions. “Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of .” Sanders bluntly concluded: “That must change.” Indeed, one of the core functions of the newly minted DOGE that Musk and ex-GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy oversee is to cut government waste. While the two have rattled off all manner of potential budgetary government cuts, the Pentagon’s out-of-control budgetary issues have been a chief target of their rhetoric. And Sanders clearly agrees — much to the surprise of social media. Has hell frozen over? — End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) The massive conservative content creator “End Wokeness” replied to Sanders with a question. “Has hell frozen over?” the user asked. Glad you realized Elon Musk is not the problem. The problem is the federal government which has wasted and lost trillions of dollars of taxpayer money. — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) “Glad you realized Elon Musk is not the problem,” conservative reporter Collin Rugg chimed in. “The problem is the federal government which has wasted and lost trillions of dollars of taxpayer money.” Matt Gaetz seemingly Sanders: “Welcome home, Bernie.” “Are we uniting? Or are you about to get cancelled by the left,” another conservative X user . “Did Bernie vote for Trump?” one X user . “Well, I didn’t see this coming,” another X user . One X user who did not express surprise? The user who owns the whole platform, Musk himself. 🇺🇸🇺🇸 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) simply replied to Sanders with a pair of United States flag emojis. Not everyone was thrilled with Sanders’ statements. While his own supporters were obviously mortified with “ k is right,” not every conservative on X was buying the message either. “Instead of posting [on social media], VOTE to approve Republican nominees,” one unimpressed X user . “Which you won’t do. You’re a feckless old man who posts something now-and-then, but when it’s time to use political power, you do what the military industrial complex orders you to.” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. .
Dr. Stephen Adetutu Oniya, the Chief Executive Officer of Softcity Group, has called for stronger cybersecurity awareness across Nigeria to drive the country’s economic and social infrastructure transformation. The certified ethical hacker emphasized that many cyber threats stem from poor digital hygiene, such as sharing passwords or engaging in unsafe online behavior. He underscored the need to focus on how technology can be harnessed to transform lives, especially when people are equipped with the skills to exploit its potential. Dr. Oniya made these remarks during his presentation on the topic, “The Role of Technology in National Development,” at an event hosted by the Africa Leadership Group (ALG) and Nigeria Leadership Series (NLS). The session was moderated by Pastor Olu and Jumoke Akin-Taylor, with Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, president of NLS and leader of Trinity House Church, also addressing attendees. In his speech, Dr. Oniya discussed the pressing need for Nigeria to adapt and integrate technology at all levels of society, particularly in rural communities where digital connectivity remains limited. He stated that technology should not only be a tool for urban development but should be accessible and relevant to all Nigerians, regardless of their location. He further emphasized the private sector’s critical role in driving this technological revolution. Drawing comparisons to Silicon Valley, he noted the impact of companies such as Microsoft, Facebook, and Tesla, while stressing that government involvement, though important, should not stifle innovation led by the private sector. “The gap between know-how and manpower is what is holding us back. We need to empower every Nigerian to fully utilize the devices they already own. With the right training, these devices can become catalysts for solving local economic problems.” Dr. Oniya also urged Nigerians to adopt “digital minimalism” to combat the widespread issue of misinformation. He explained that the constant overload of information on smartphones and social media platforms makes it increasingly difficult for people to discern between credible news and fake news. “Digital overload has made it harder for individuals to process information critically. We must prioritize digital rest and adopt a minimalistic approach to how we consume information,” he said. He stressed the importance of individuals taking responsibility for securing their devices and personal information, warning against common cybersecurity threats such as phishing and data scraping. “Cybersecurity begins with each person. If people protect their personal data and follow safe online practices, the chances of being hacked decrease dramatically,” Dr. Oniya stated. The CEO also highlighted the need for greater collaboration between the government, private sector, civil society organizations, and educational institutions to provide cybersecurity training and resources to combat the rising threats of cybercrime. In closing, Dr. Oniya encouraged the younger generation to embrace technology and remain hopeful about Nigeria’s future. “The future is digital, and the future of Nigeria will be shaped by its young people. We must not abandon our country but rather work together to build a better, tech-savvy Nigeria,” he concluded.When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Black Friday is officially a week away, and if you're as excited as we are, you'll know that the festivities are already starting. After all, it's a years-long tradition for retailers to start their sales well before the actual holiday. That's why I can gladly round up all of the best early Black Friday deals for you, below. Whether you're shopping for a new TV for your entertainment center or just need to chill out with a Headspace meditation plan, there's something for every shopper on sale right now. I've covered Black Friday for years and have kept a close eye on deals all season, so you can trust that any price drop I've flagged below is worth checking out. Prices may drop lower in the coming days as Black Friday gets closer. However, when it comes to products like Amazon devices, subscription services, and fashion brands, it's not likely that the deals will get any better than the ones I've listed now. Keep tabs on this story for more great savings as they arise over the coming days. Keep scrolling to see the best Black Friday deals you can score now. To explore even more, check out our guides to the best Amazon Black Friday sales , the best Black Friday mattress sales , and the best Walmart Black Friday deals . Adobe: Save 50% on Creative Cloud apps Allbirds: 30% off everything at the super comfy shoe brand AirPods: $90 off AirPods Pro 2 Amazon: 'Black Friday Week' sale is underway! Apple: New Amazon deals on MacBooks, iPads, and more Best Buy: Doorbuster deals on TVs, appliances, audio Blue Nile: Up to 30% off quality jewelry Brooklinen: 25-50% off luxury bed sheets Chewy: Up to 40% off pet clothing, toys, treats Ergatta: $1000 off select rowing machine bundles Leesa: 30% off superb mattresses Mint Mobile: Say goodbye to big wireless bills with 50% off Nordstrom: Shop designer deals at big discounts already NordVPN: Don't miss this 74% discount Saatva: Early Access BF mattress sale is live Saks Fifth Avenue: Designer sale discounts as high as 50% Silk & Snow: Mattress and bedding brand is up to 25% off sitewide Spanx: Early discounts across smart and casual clothing Tommy John: Save 30% on PJs and underwear with code: EARLY30 Verizon: Free iPhone 16 Pro, iPad, and Watch with new deal Vivaia: Discounts on boots and shoes as high as 40% today Walmart: Flash sale features 60% savings Wayfair: Popular home picks are up to 80% off already Best Black Friday tech deals The Beats Studio Buds offer great sound, an excellent fit, and decent noise cancellation for their price. They support instant pairing for iPhone and Android users, but the iPhone experience is still more seamless. 1Password is among the gold standard in password managers with its extensive list of features and benefits. The application doesn't come for free however, and the premium password manager is priced accordingly in its annual fee. Sony’s WF-1000XM5 earbuds deliver excellent sound quality and noise canceling in a sleek, comfy design that’s tough to beat. Amazon's latest Kindle Paperwhite offers even faster performance than its predecessors in the same thin, waterproof form readers love. Apple's handy tracking device comes bundled in a discounted four-pack. Airtags are easy to set up and allow you to track multiple items in the Find My app alongside your friends and devices. Compared to the Roku Streaming Stick+, the new Streaming Stick 4K provides an improved viewing experience by adding support for Dolby Vision. This advanced high dynamic range (HDR) format can provide better picture quality on TVs that support it. The new Amazon Echo Spot features a brand-new display face and functions best as an alarm clock smart speaker. It offers rich sound and can control your smart home's other devices with the help of Alexa. With rapid two-sided printing (up to 35 pages per minute), a 250 sheet tray, and a built-in scanner/copier, HP's multi-function printer is a great choice for a home or small office setup. The touchscreen display makes navigating all the features super simple, too. Best Black Friday TV deals The S90D is our favorite 2024 TV overall. Its QD-OLED panel delivers a high-contrast image with vivid colors, wide viewing angles, and impressive brightness for this class. Samsung's Frame TV can be mounted flush against your wall like a hanging piece of art. It also features a matte screen to make it look more like canvas, and you can purchase optional magnetic frame bezels in different colors and designs. Sony's A95L is the best high-end TV you can buy. Though pricey, its QD-OLED panel delivers the most impressive picture quality we've seen. It's also got a premium design and Google's convenient smart TV interface. This 32-inch TV only has a 720p HD screen, but at such a small screen size it's hard to see the benefits of a higher resolution. Picture quality here is as basic as it gets, but the 2-Series is a solid option for buyers who want a cheap, compact smart TV for a bedroom or other smaller area. The U6N is one of the top budget TVs available. The 4K QLED display uses quantum dots, local dimming, and a Mini LED backlight to deliver higher contrast and a wider range of colors than most competitors in its class. Best Black Friday mattress deals The gel memory foam of the Nectar makes it a versatile mattress that conforms to the contours of your body to relieve pressure. It's a premium sleep experience, but its price tag is way under a grand. The Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress features contouring foam that cradles sleepers of all body types and sleeping styles while offering outstanding pressure relief and heat dissipation. The Big Fig Mattress is constructed for heavier individuals with firm support and a high weight capacity. The memory foam of the Bear mattress, combined with Celliant technology, makes this a great bed for active folks looking for some rest and recovery. Environmentally-conscious folks can choose the Birch Mattress without guilt thanks to its all-natural materials. Use our exclusive promo code INSIDER27 to save 27% off and get two free pillows. Best Black Friday home deals Our top pick for the best comforter, the All-Season Down Comforter from Brooklinen, is a versatile comforter for those who sleep hot or cold. This soft and airy comforter is at the lowest price we've seen all year during the brand's Black Friday sale. The J9+ is a powerful robot vacuum that deftly navigates around household obstacles, leaves hardwood floors spotless, and tackles low-pile carpets with ease. The beveled lip of the Pottery Barn Marble Coasters did an outstanding job of protecting the table from water in our tests and facilitated easy drink placement without looking. The second-generation Nest Doorbell has a 145-degree field-of-view, 950 x 1,280 video resolution at 30 frames-per-second, night vision up to 10-feet away, and includes two-way voice communication. The Hatch Restore 2 has the most light options and sleep sounds of any model we tried, and they're all fully controlled through its multifunctional Hatch Sleep app. The Honeywell ThermaWave 6 Ceramic Space Heater is outstanding at balancing heating performance and quiet operation. When you factor in the many safety features, this is also the best option for bedrooms. While we haven't tested the Dyson V11 Origin yet, we've been impressed with the innovations and powerful suction of the Dyson vacuums we've tested. This model features a HEPA filter to help keep allergens out of the air. Best Black Friday kitchen deals The 5.5-cup cooker uses fuzzy logic to make perfect rice every time and has multiple settings for all kinds of rice and grains, including brown rice, steel cut oatmeal, and sushi rice. The ember mug keeps drinks at their optimal temperature and can be controlled by smart phone. 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Only a handful of the network TV series debuting 50 years ago last autumn managed to survive two or more seasons. But how many would have existed at all if they faced today’s TV/political environment? Sure, Mary Richards’ best friend Rhoda Morgenstern achieved her own CBS spin-off. And she made Nielsen ratings history a few weeks later as she raced through the streets of New York in her wedding gown to tie the knot. But a time-traveling TV executive from 2024 would have given us Rhoda NondescriptLastName racing through the streets of New York in her burka to ... freeze her eggs (consequently spawning a grassroots “I’m cutting my rabbit ears!” movement). Angie Dickinson shattered the glass ceiling as “Pepper” Anderson on “Police Woman,” but how could she have made ends meet while facing today’s activism? (“Undercover cop, undercover salary. We’re defunded!”) “Chico and the Man” was a succinct title for the sitcom (starring Freddie Prinze and Jack Albertson) that lampooned both a generation gap and an ethnic gap. But even a lead-in from “Sanford and Son” wouldn’t have helped if it was saddled with a clunky title like “I’m Not a Biologist; I Don’t Know What a Chico is or What a Man is.” Clifton Davis and Theresa Merritt earned a sophomore season of the ABC sitcom “That’s My Mama.” Good thing it wasn’t “That’s My Birthing Person — Definitely Not a Trafficker Who Smuggled Me Across the Border.” NBC graced us with two dramas that showcased TV/film veterans with stratospheric likability factors: James Garner (“The Rockford Files”) and Michael Landon (“Little House on the Prairie”). But nowadays, the casting quest would be for whichever has-been or never-was couldn’t land a streaming deal. Or, a star would be made expendable by a big cast. (“Let’s see if we can fit an ensemble of 12 in Rockford’s Pontiac Firebird Esprit.”) Don’t get me started on the “franchise” phenomenon. Landon’s wholesome adventures in Walnut Grove would have suffered overexposure if someone had gotten the bright idea of cranking out “Little House on the Jersey Turnpike,” “Little House on the Endangered Wetland,” “Little House on the Titanic” ... (As it was, the anticipation for the Dec. 12, 1974, premiere of “The Godfather Part II” nearly caused “Little House” to have a completely different focus. We came this close to seeing the unwieldy “Nice Little House You Have Here on the Prairie; Be a Shame if Anything Happened to it.”) Reality shows were practically nonexistent during the heyday of “Little House,” but a tweak of TV history could have left the Ingalls family with the trauma of a non-scripted existence. Although, “Spreading Typhoid Fever With the Stars” and “Vote Harriet Oleson Off the Hemisphere” have a certain panache. Prequel-itis is another modern gimmick that could have produced cringeworthy results. Can you imagine “Young Rockford,” charging “10 bucks a week plus all the root beer I can drink” while solving crimes with the help of his detention hall pal Angel Martin? Oh, and he could have a parrot that answered the phone. (“This is Jimmy Rockford. At the tone, leave your name and message. I’ll get back to you. Unless you’re a yucky girl with cooties.”) I hope you enjoyed this alternative look at a very special stretch of Memory Lane. What do you mean, Rhoda should have frozen this column until the time was right? Danny Tyree welcomes email responses at tyreetyrades@aol.com and visits to his Facebook fan page “Tyree’s Tyrades.”
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary, the last of his picks to lead executive agencies and another choice from within his established circle of advisers and allies. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack , President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. Rollins previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Rollins, speaking on the Christian talk show “Family Talk" earlier this year, said Trump was an “amazing boss” and confessed that she thought in 2015, during his first presidential campaign, that he would not last as a candidate in a crowded Republican primary field. “I was the person that said, ‘Oh, Donald Trump is not going to go more than two or three weeks in the Republican primary. This is to up his TV show ratings. And then we’ll get back to normal,’” she said. “Fast forward a couple of years, and I am running his domestic policy agenda.” Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-2030 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs. Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press writers Josh Funk and JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report.Top-25 teams will take the court across four games on Friday’s college basketball slate. That includes the Oklahoma Sooners squaring off against the UNLV Rebels at Thomas & Mack Center. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. No. 21 Nebraska Cornhuskers at Creighton Bluejays Lafayette Leopards at No. 13 West Virginia Mountaineers Oregon State Beavers at No. 22 Illinois Fighting Illini No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners at UNLV Rebels Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.
Washington 62, Cal St.-Fullerton 58Bashar al-Assad memes follow the end of his 57-year reign
Juventus are considering moves for Liam Delap and Joshua Zirkzee, while Paris St-Germain might offer Randal Kolo Muani in part exchange for Christopher Nkunku. Juventus are considering a move for Ipswich's Liam Delap and have sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old English striker, who is also interesting Chelsea and Manchester United . (Mirror) , external The Italian club are also eyeing a loan move for Manchester United's Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee, 23. ( Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian , external ) Paris St-Germain are interested in Chelsea's 27-year-old France striker Christopher Nkunku and might offer France forward Randal Kolo Muani, 25, in part exchange. (TBR Football) , external Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa, 27, is an option that Napoli are considering to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia if the Georgia forward does not sign a new contract at the Serie A club. ( Il Napolista - in Italian , external ) Aston Villa may recall Louie Barry from his loan at Stockport in January and send him out on loan to a Championship club, with Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough leading the chase for the 21-year-old English striker. (The Star) , external Manchester United are unlikely to offer Christian Eriksen a new contract, with the 32-year-old Denmark midfielder's current deal expiring at the end of the season. (Florian Plettenberg) , external Crystal Palace are among a host of European clubs interested in Lecce's 20-year-old Denmark full-back Patrick Dorgu. (CaughtOffside) , external Manchester United have made 27-year-old England striker Marcus Rashford available for transfer. (Fichajes - in Spanish) , external Everton are unlikely to complete a deal for 29-year-old Roma defensive midfielder Bryan Cristante during the January transfer window. ( Football Insider , external ) Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos, 28, could be on his way out of Real Madrid with Real Betis interested in bringing the former Arsenal player back to the club. ( Fichajes - in Spanish , external )Hunter Biden's confident demeanor in unearthed video raises questions about dad's pardon plans