ace value in blackjack
Deputy Minister pays fine for speedingAP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:17 p.m. EST
National Consumer Helpline records 10-fold jump in number of calls handled after tech revamp NEW DELHI: The revamped National Consumer Helpline (NCH) of the Centre’s Department of Consumer Affairs has registered a 10-fold increase in the number of calls it handles, while the average number of complaints registered per month has surged to 1,12,468 in 2024, according to an official statement. The NCH serves as the first point of contact for consumers, resolving issues before they escalate to litigation. The redressal of grievances is provided within 45 days, helping to prevent the overburdening of Consumer Commissions. The technological transformation of the NCH has significantly boosted its call-handling capacity. The number of calls received by NCH has grown nearly tenfold, from 14,795 calls in January 2015 to 1,41,817 calls in January 2024. This exponential growth reflects the rising confidence of consumers in the helpline, the statement said. Similarly, the average number of complaints registered per month has surged from 37,062 in 2017 to 1,12,468 in 2024. Additionally, grievance registration via WhatsApp has gained momentum, with the percentage of complaints filed through the platform increasing from 3 per cent in March 2023 to 25 per cent in March 2024, demonstrating a growing preference for digital communication channels. The number of convergence partners of the National Consumer Helpline has steadily increased from 263 companies in 2017 to 1009 companies in 2024. “This growth underscores the importance of these partnerships in enhancing the helpline’s efficiency, enabling quick and effective grievance redressal, and promoting transparency and accountability. These partnerships ensure consumer complaints are addressed at the pre-litigation stage, fostering greater consumer trust. However, if a complaint remains unresolved, consumers are encouraged to approach the appropriate Consumer Commission under the Consumer Protection Act,” the statement explained. The helpline is available in 17 languages, including Hindi, English, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Nepali, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Maithili, Santhali, Bengali, Odia, Assamese, and Manipuri, allowing consumers from all regions to register their grievances via the toll-free number 1915. These grievances can be submitted via the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM), an omni-channel, IT-enabled central portal, through various channels: WhatsApp (8800001915), SMS (8800001915), email (nch-ca[at]gov.in), the NCH app, the web portal (consumerhelpline.gov.in), and the Umang app, offering convenience and flexibility to consumers. The helpline operates in a dedicated manner from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all seven days of the week, except on national holidays. To enhance accessibility further, a call-back facility is available. An exclusive call centre has been established to ensure prompt service. In a significant move to further enhance grievance redressal, NCH has introduced AI-based Speech Recognition, a Translation System, and a Multilingual Chatbot as part of the NCH 2.0 initiative. These technological advancements aim to make the grievance filing process more seamless, efficient, and inclusive. The AI-powered Speech Recognition and Translation System enables consumers to file complaints through voice input in their local languages, reducing manual intervention. The Multilingual Chatbot provides real-time assistance, streamlining complaint-handling processes, and improving the overall user experience. These upgrades ensure that consumers from diverse linguistic backgrounds have equal access to the grievance redressal system, the statement added. AgenciesDylan Hernández: MLS deal with Apple TV could be hurting league's efforts to grow its fan baseNone
House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors
Introducing Mujin Co., Ltd.: Redefining Lightweight Steel Structures In The USA MarketQlik Reveals Top AI and Data Trends for 2025
The San Francisco Giants struck early in the free-agent frenzy on Saturday, signing shortstop Willy Adames to a lucrative seven-year, $182 million deal that removes a key player from the Yankees’ potential Plan B should they fail to land superstar Juan Soto . Adames, who had been floated as a possible option to fill an infield gap for New York, is now off the market, amplifying the pressure on the Yankees to go all in for Soto. Adames Was a Viable Plan B Adames, 29, had been seen as an attractive option for the Yankees to help bolster their infield with his combination of power and defensive versatility. Coming off a strong 2024 season in which he posted 4.8 WAR over 161 games, hitting .251/.331/.462 with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs, Adames was one of the most productive infielders available this offseason. For the Yankees, Adames represented not only an offensive upgrade but also a defensive improvement over some of their existing options. Losing him to the San Francisco Giants leaves the Yankees with fewer fallback plans and underscores the importance of securing Soto’s services. The Soto-or-Bust Scenario With Adames out of the picture, the Yankees are now even more reliant on their ability to win the Juan Soto sweepstakes. Soto, 26, is the kind of generational talent the Yankees simply cannot afford to let slip away. In 2024, Soto slashed .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, and a staggering 8.1 WAR, further cementing his status as one of the most valuable players in baseball. The Yankees’ front office, led by managing partner Hal Steinbrenner, has made Soto the centerpiece of their offseason strategy, and for good reason. Soto isn’t just a short-term fix; he’s the type of player who can anchor a franchise for over a decade. Missing out on him would not only create a production void in their lineup but also a branding and marketing hit that the team can ill afford as it looks to reassert its dominance in Major League Baseball. The Mets Are Lurking The challenge for the Yankees is that the New York Mets, flush with cash and hungry to make a splash, are just as aggressive in their pursuit of Soto. Mets owner Steve Cohen has already proven he’s willing to push the limits of spending, and with several big-name players departing, the Mets have the financial flexibility to outbid nearly anyone. Jon Heyman of the New York Post recently noted that one of the Mets’ biggest challenges in landing Soto is their lack of a strong supporting cast to entice him. While Soto has already experienced a winning culture and high-level competition in the Bronx, the Mets are in a retooling phase. However, that won’t stop Cohen from making a significant financial offer, which means the Yankees will need to pull out all the stops to secure Soto’s commitment. A Crucial Decision Looms With Soto expected to make his decision in the coming days, if not hours, the Yankees find themselves at a critical juncture. Adames’ signing with San Francisco has removed a key alternative, leaving the Yankees in a position where pivoting to multiple players may no longer yield the same level of production. Losing out on Soto could force the Yankees to scramble for other solutions, such as Cody Bellinger or Anthony Santander, but those players don’t bring the same consistency or star power that Soto offers. Simply put, Soto is the only player on the market who can transform the Yankees from a playoff contender to a World Series favorite overnight. This article first appeared on Empire Sports Media and was syndicated with permission.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A person accused of accosting U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol Office building pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor assault charge. Witnesses told police that James McIntyre, 33, of Chicago, shook Mace’s hand in an “exaggerated, aggressive” manner after approaching the South Carolina Republican in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening, according to a police affidavit. Mace, who is identified only by her initials in a court filing, posted a string of social media messages about the incident. She said she was “physically accosted” at the Capitol, and she thanked President-elect Donald Trump for calling her Wednesday morning to check on her condition. “I’m going to be fine just as soon as the pain and soreness subside,” Mace wrote. Mace declined to be treated by a paramedic after her encounter with McIntyre, who was arrested Tuesday by the Capitol Police, the affidavit says. Mace told police that McIntyre said, “Trans youth serve advocacy,” while shaking her hand. Last month, Mace proposed a resolution that would prohibit any lawmakers and House employees from “using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.” Mace said the bill is aimed specifically at Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride — the first transgender person to be elected to Congress. A magistrate judge ordered McIntyre’s release after an arraignment in Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Efforts to reach an attorney for McIntyre weren’t immediately successful.Attwell Farm Park: Owners hit with 'Asbos' by Bromsgrove council
NoneGENEVA (AFP) – A Roman gold coin bearing the image of Brutus, the assassin of Julius Caesar, will go to auction in Geneva on Monday, with bids set to start above USD850,000. “A numismatist’s eyes light up when beholding a coin like this,” because this is “a piece of history”, said head of the Numismatica Genevensis (NGSA) auction house behind the sale Frank Baldacci. The aureus, the gold coin currency used in ancient Rome, was issued by Brutus and his friends a year or two after they assassinated Roman ruler Caesar in 44 BC, he said. The coin, which weighs eight grammes, is “of immense historical importance both artistically and politically”, NGSA said. Bidding will start at CHF750,000 (USD852,000), but Baldacci said it would likely go for more than CHF1 million. “This could go quite high,” he told AFP , pointing out that the piece was a bit like “the Da Vinci of Roman coins”. This particular aureus features Brutus’ profile framed with laurel leaves on one side. The other celebrates his recent military victories with warlike symbols. It is one of only 17 known examples. The coin was “cast not in Rome but in a mint that travelled with Brutus and his armies as he tried to seize power after the assassination of Julius Caesar”, Baldacci said, adding that it had a “propaganda value”. The laurel wreath is clearly a sign of “someone who wants to promote himself as emperor”, he said, pointing out that ‘IMP’ – for emperor – was engraved next to Brutus’ face, even though he did not hold that title. The coin was struck shortly before the fateful Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, which ended with Brutus killing himself after losing to Octavian and Mark Antony as they sought to avenge Caesar’s death. The aureus has since travelled discreetly through the centuries, with little known about its owners along the way. “But we know that during the Renaissance, there were a lot of princes and lords who had Roman coin collections,” Baldacci said. The coin resurfaced in the 1950s when it was catalogued as part of a private collection. It reappeared again in 2006, when it was put up for auction in Zurich, and sold to a private collector for CHF360,000.
So I heard. I watched Puig play only twice this year, once in the Galaxy's season-opening 1-1 draw with Inter Miami and a second time in his team's Fourth of July defeat to LAFC at the Rose Bowl. Outside of short highlight clips on social media, I never saw the former Barcelona prospect, not even when he assisted on the goal that sent the Galaxy to the MLS Cup final. That wasn't a reflection of my interest. Some of my friends will make fun of me for publicly admitting this, but I like Major League Soccer. I covered the league in my first job out of college and have casually kept up with it since. I take my children to a couple of games a year. My 11-year-old son owns Galaxy and LAFC hats but no Dodgers or Lakers merchandise. When flipping through channels in the past, if presented with the choice of, say, college football or MLS, I usually watched MLS. But not this year. While the MLS Cup final between the Galaxy and New York Red Bulls will be shown on Fox and Fox Deportes, the majority of games are now exclusively behind a paywall, courtesy of the league's broadcasting deal with Apple. MLS Season Pass subscriptions were reasonably priced — $79 for the entire season for Apple TV+ subscribers, $99 for non-subscribers — but I was already paying for DirecTV Stream, Netflix, Amazon Prime, PlayStation Plus and who knows what else. MLS became a casualty in my household, as well as in many others, and the possibility of being out of sight and out of mind should be a concern for a league that is looking to expand its audience. Which isn't to say the league made a mistake. This was a gamble MLS had to take. Now in the second year of a 10-year, $2.5 billion deal with Apple, MLS did what Major League Baseball is talking about doing, which is to centralize its broadcasting rights and sell them to a digital platform. Regional sports networks have been decimated by cord cutting, making traditional economic models unsustainable. The move to Apple not only increased the league's broadcast revenues — previous deals with ESPN, Fox and Univision were worth a combined $90 million annually, according to multiple reports — but also introduced a measure of uniformity in the league. The quality of the broadcasts are better than they were under regional sports networks. Viewers know where to watch games and when, as every one of them is on Season Pass and most of them are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. local time either on Wednesday or Saturday. "That's been fueling our growth and driving our fan engagement," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Friday at his annual state of the league address. Apple and MLS declined to reveal the number of League Pass subscribers, but the league provided polling figures that indicated 94% of viewers offered positive or neutral reviews of League Pass. The average viewing time for a game is about 65 minutes for a 90-minute game, according to Garber. In other words, the League Pass is well-liked — by the people who have it. The challenge now is to increase that audience. The launch of League Pass last year coincided with the arrival of Lionel Messi, which presumably resulted in a wave of subscriptions. But the league can't count on the appearance of the next Messi; there is only one of him. MLS pointed to how its fans watch sports on streaming devices or recorded television than any other U.S. sports league, as well as how 71% of its fans are under the age of 45. The league also pointed to how it effectively drew more viewers to the Apple broadcast of Inter Miami's postseason opener with a livestream of a "Messi Cam' on TikTok, indicating further collaborations with wide-reaching entities could be in its future. Garber mentioned how Season Pass is available in other countries. The commissioner also made note of how Apple places games every week in front of its paywall. "What we have, really, is a communication problem," Garber said. "This is new, and we've got to work with Apple, we've got to work with our clubs and we've got to work with our partners to get more exposure to what we think is a great product." The greatest benefit to the league could be Apple's vested interest in improving the on-field product. MLS insiders said Apple has not only encouraged teams to sign more high-profile players but also pushed the league to switch to a fall-to-spring calendar more commonplace in other parts of the world, reasoning that doing so would simplify the process of buying and selling players. The on-field product is what matters. The on-field product is why MLS continues to face competition for viewers from overseas leagues. The on-field product is why the league hasn't succeeded in converting every soccer fan into a MLS fan. And ultimately, if casual viewers such as myself are to pay to watch the Galaxy or LAFC on a screen of some kind, the on-field product will be why.None
ATLANTA (AP) — Jalen Johnson scored 28 points and the Atlanta Hawks closed out a four-game homestand, winning a third straight contest, 120-110 over the Miami Heat on Saturday. Trae Young added his 22nd double-double of the season, with 11 point and 15 assist, and De'Andre Hunter scored 26 points in his 14th consecutive game with at least 15 points coming off the bench. Tyler Herro scored 28 points and dished out 10 assists and Bam Adebayo added 17 points and 10 rebounds. It was the Heat's fourth game in a row without star Jimmy Butler , who sat out for what the team called “return to competition reconditioning.” Heat: Miami lost despite five players finishing with double-digit point totals. The Heat shot 44.4% from the field, but it wasn't enough to overcome a Hawks team that hit over half of its shots, 51.2% from the field. Hawks: Johnson has been on an offensive tear in his last two games. He finished two points shy of his single-game career high of 30 points, set in his last game, on Thursday against the Chicago Bulls. Hunter also finished just one point shy of his single-game career high of 27 points. After a close first half that featured nine lead changes, Atlanta seized control early in the second half. With five minutes to go in the third quarter, Atlanta’s Garrison Mathews and Hunter hit back-to-back 3s to give Atlanta an 81-72 lead, their biggest of the night, and forcing a Miami timeout. Young finished one assist shy of a franchise single-game record for assists against the Miami Heat, set by Mookie Blaylock in 1993. The Hawks begin a six-game road trip in Toronto on Sunday, while the Heat visits the Rockets on Sunday. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA