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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — CNN wants a court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson that attacks its report that he made explicit posts on a pornography website’s message board. The network says Robinson presented no evidence that the network believed its story was false or aired it recklessly. The September report says Robinson, who ran unsuccessfully for governor this month, left statements over a decade ago on the message board in which, in part, he referred to himself as a “black NAZI" and said he enjoyed transgender pornography. The report also says he preferred Adolf Hitler to then-President Barack Obama and slammed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as “worse than a maggot.” Robinson, who was seeking to become the state's first Black governor, said he didn’t write those posts and sued in October, just before early in-person voting was to begin. While filing a dismissal motion Thursday in Raleigh federal court, attorneys for CNN said Robinson’s arguments suggesting he was the likely victim of a computer hacking operation that created fake messages would require a series of events that is not just “implausible, it is ridiculous.” Generally speaking, a public official claiming defamation must show a defendant knew a statement it made was false or did so with reckless disregard for the truth. “Robinson did not and cannot plausibly allege facts that show that CNN published the Article with actual malice,” attorney Mark Nebrig wrote in a memo backing the dismissal motion, adding that the lawsuit “does not include a single allegation demonstrating that CNN doubted the veracity of its reporting.” For Robinson, who already had a history of inflammatory comments about topics like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights , the CNN story nearly led to the collapse of his campaign. After the report's airing, most of his top campaign staff quit, advertising from the Republican Governors Association stopped and fellow Republicans distanced themselves from him, including President-elect Donald Trump. Robinson lost to Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein by nearly 15 points and will leave office at year-end. Robinson's lawsuit was initially filed in state court. It says, in part, that CNN chose to run its report based on data from the website NudeAfrica, which had been hacked several years ago and ran on vulnerable, outdated software. His suit claims the network did nothing to verify the posts. He's seeking monetary damages. Thursday's memo highlights the network's story, including a section where the CNN journalists showed how they connected Robinson to a username on the NudeAfrica site. As the CNN story said previously, the memo says the network matched details of the account on the message board to other online accounts held by Robinson by comparing usernames, an email address and his full name. The details discussed by the account holder matched Robinson’s length of marriage, where he lived at the time, and that both Robinson and the account holder had mothers who worked at a historically Black university, the memo says. CNN also said it found matches of figures of speech used by both the NudeAfrica account holder and in Robinson’s social media posts. “This is hardly a case where, as Robinson alleges, CNN ‘disregarded or deliberately avoided the truth’ rather than investigate,” Nebrig said, adding later that the network “had no reason to seriously doubt that Robinson was the author” of the posts. Robinson's attorneys didn't immediately respond to an email Friday seeking comment. The lawsuit says anyone could have used Robinson's breached data to create accounts on the internet. His state lawsuit also sued Louis Love Money, a former porn shop worker who alleged in a music video and a media interview that for several years starting in the 1990s, Robinson frequented a porn shop where Money was working and that Robinson purchased porn videos from him. Robinson said that was untrue. Money filed his own dismissal motion in the state lawsuit. But since then, CNN moved the lawsuit to federal court, saying that it's the proper venue for a North Carolina resident like Robinson and a Georgia-based company like CNN and that the claims against Money are unrelated. Gary D. Robertson, The Associated Press

Rupert Murdoch Fails in Bid to Change Family Trust

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California, home to some of the largest technology companies in the world, would be the first U.S. state to require mental health warning labels on social media sites if lawmakers pass a bill introduced Monday. The legislation sponsored by state Attorney General Rob Bonta is necessary to bolster safety for children online, supporters say, but industry officials vow to fight the measure and others like it under the First Amendment. Warning labels for social media gained swift bipartisan support from dozens of attorneys general, including Bonta, after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called on Congress to establish the requirements earlier this year, saying social media is a contributing factor in the mental health crisis among young people. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

New Delhi: India and Kuwait elevated their ties to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ Sunday, along with a memorandum of understanding in defence, as well as agreements in culture and sports during the two-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Gulf country also joined the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a member. “This MoU [on defence cooperation] will institutionalise bilateral cooperation in the area of defence. Key areas of cooperation would include training, exchange of personnel and experts, joint exercises, cooperation in defence industry, supply of defence equipment and collaboration in research and development,” said Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Consular and Diaspora) in the Ministry of Exchange Affairs (MEA) during a special media briefing. The agreement in defence cooperation was in the works for a while, before being signed during Modi’s visit to the West Asian country. The two-day visit by Modi is the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Kuwait in 43 years. The PM met with the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Sunday morning. Subsequently, he held a meeting with Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah followed by delegation- level talks with his Kuwait counterpart Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. During the meeting with the Amir, Modi was conferred with the Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, the highest national award of Kuwait. This is the Indian PM’s 20th foreign award. The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer instituted in 1974 has since been conferred on select global leaders including the late Queen Elizabeth II to name a few. The Amir of Kuwait “expressed” his appreciation for “India’s role as a valued partner in Kuwait and the Gulf Region.” The two prime ministers discussed a “roadmap to strengthen the strategic partnership” in areas such as trade, political, investments, energy, defence, security, health, education, technology, culture and education, according to Chatterjee. Also Read: Energy, defence, & economic deals on Modi’s Kuwait agenda as past friction points take backseat The two leaders also looked at ways to expand the economic cooperation between their countries. India is one of Kuwait’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade in goods touching $10.47 billion in 2023-24. Kuwait is India’s sixth largest exporter of crude petroleum, accounting for 3 percent of its energy needs. According to the MEA, there is also around $10 billion worth of investments by Kuwait in the Indian economy. Modi invited the Kuwaiti Investment Authority to visit India to look at opportunities in investing in areas such as defence, energy, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, food parks among other sectors. The two countries have had historic ties, with the Indian rupee being the legal tender in the country till 1961. However, since the 1990-1991 Gulf War, ties had hit a rough patch over India’s support for Saddam Hussein and Iraq. Over the last three decades, ties have slowly strengthened. Kuwait is the last country within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Modi to visit, having visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE earlier during his tenure. Kuwait is the current chair of the GCC. On ties between India and the GCC, Chatterjee said, “In general the two sides discussed cooperation between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council, for which Kuwait is now the chair...We look forward to very intense cooperation between India and the GCC, through Kuwait’s chairmanship.” As a part of the two-day visit, Modi also visited a labour camp in Mina Abdullah Saturday and interacted with the roughly 1,500 Indian workforce living in the camp. There are around one million Indians living in Kuwait, making up 21 percent of the nation’s population and 30 percent of its workforce. Modi thanked the Amir of Kuwait for “looking after” the Indian community during their bilateral meeting. Earlier in June, a fire in living quarters of labourers in the Mangaf area, left at least 41 Indians dead. The prime minister addressed an event Saturday evening with the Indian community living in Kuwait and was the guest of honour for the inaugural match of the Arabian Gulf Cup. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: As Trudeau stumbles, Jagmeet Singh’s NDP withdraws support & Conservatives push for early polls var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );Electric energy outside Weidner Field; Switchbacks compete in, win USL Championship title for first time

WASHINGTON — A top White House official said Wednesday at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations were impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. FILE - The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Zhangjiakou, China, on Feb. 2, 2022. A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could grow. People are also reading... Blue Springs family to host 2025 Cattleman's Ball At the courthouse, Nov. 30, 2024 Shoplifting investigation leads to arrest for possession of controlled substance They fell in love with Beatrice. So they opened a store in downtown. Nebraska football signing day preview: Potential flips and a 5-star up for grabs Hospice foundation helps with extra support Gage County Sheriff's Office helps catch Fairbury suspect Mother to Mother supporting families 27-year-old Beatrice man sentenced for May assault Search warrants lead to arrest of man in narcotics investigation 'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe At the courthouse, Nov. 23, 2024 Beatrice company seeks to break China's stranglehold on rare-earth minerals Board of Supervisors denies permit for Filley telecom tower Black Friday starts a busy weekend of serving customers The U.S. believes the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden was briefed on the findings and the White House “made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” US officials recommend encrypted messaging apps amid "Salt Typhoon" cyberattack, attributed to China, targeting AT&T, Verizon, and others. The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack Tuesday after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages Wednesday. White House officials believe the hacking was regionally targeted and the focus was on very senior government officials. Federal authorities confirmed in October that hackers linked to China targeted the phones of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. FBI tells telecom firms to boost security following wide-ranging Chinese hacking campaign By DAVID KLEPPER - Associated Press The number of countries impacted by the hack is currently believed to be in the “low, couple dozen,” according to a senior administration official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House, said they believed the hacks started at least a year or two ago. The suggestions for telecom companies released Tuesday are largely technical in nature, urging encryption, centralization and consistent monitoring to deter cyber intrusions. If implemented, the security precautions could help disrupt the operation, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and make it harder for China or any other nation to mount a similar attack in the future, experts say. Trump's pick to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel was allegedly the target of cyberattack attempt by Iranian-backed hackers. Neuberger pointed to efforts made to beef up cybersecurity in the rail, aviation, energy and other sectors following the May 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline . “So, to prevent ongoing Salt Typhoon type intrusions by China, we believe we need to apply a similar minimum cybersecurity practice,” Neuberger said. The cyberattack by a gang of criminal hackers on the critical U.S. pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel used along the Eastern Seaboard, sent ripple effects across the economy, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the nation’s aging energy infrastructure. Colonial confirmed it paid $4.4 million to the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems as it scrambled to get the nation's fuel pipeline back online. 5 tips for protecting your phone while traveling abroad 5 tips for protecting your phone while traveling abroad Picture this: You're on vacation in a city abroad, exploring museums, tasting the local cuisine, and people-watching at cafés. Everything is going perfectly until you get a series of alerts on your phone. Someone is making fraudulent charges using your credit card, sending you into a panic. How could this have happened? Cyberattacks targeting travelers are nothing new. But as travel has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so has the volume of hackers and cybercriminals preying upon tourists. Financial fraud is the most common form of cybercrime experienced by travelers, but surveillance via public Wi-Fi networks, social media hacking, and phishing scams are also common, according to a survey by ExpressVPN . Spokeo consulted cybersecurity sources and travel guides to determine some of the best ways to protect your phone while traveling, from using a VPN to managing secure passwords. Online attacks are not the only type of crime impacting travelers—physical theft of phones is also a threat. Phones have become such invaluable travel aids, housing our navigation tools, digital wallets, itineraries, and contacts, that having your phone stolen, lost, or compromised while abroad can be devastating. Meanwhile, traveling can make people uniquely vulnerable to both cyber and physical attacks due to common pitfalls like oversharing on social media and letting your guard down when it comes to taking risks online. Luckily, there are numerous precautions travelers can take to safeguard against cyberattacks and phone theft. Use a VPN Hackers can—and do—target public Wi-Fi networks at cafés and hotels to gain access to your personal information or install malware onto your device, particularly on unsecured networks. Travelers are especially vulnerable to these types of cybersecurity breaches because they are often more reliant on public Wi-Fi than they would be in their home countries where they have more robust phone plans. This reliance on public, unsecured networks means travelers are more likely to use those networks to perform sensitive tasks like financial transfers, meaning hackers can easily gain access to banking information or other passwords. One easy way to safeguard yourself against these breaches is to use a virtual private network, or VPN, while traveling. VPNs are apps that encrypt your data and hide your location, preventing hackers from accessing personal information. An added bonus is that VPNs allow you to access websites that may be blocked or unavailable in the country you are visiting. To use a VPN, simply download a VPN app on your phone or computer, create an account, choose a server, and connect. Wear a cross-body bag or antitheft strap Pickpockets, scammers, and flagrant, snatch-your-phone-right-out-of-your-hand thieves can be found pretty much everywhere. In London, for instance, a staggering 91,000 phones were reported stolen to police in 2022 , breaking down to an average of 248 per day, according to the BBC. Whether you're visiting a crowded tourist attraction or just want peace of mind, travel experts advise taking precautions to make sure your phone isn't physically stolen or compromised while traveling. There are several antitheft options to choose from. If you want a bag that will protect your phone from theft, experts recommend looking for features like slash-resistant fabric, reinforced shoulder straps, hidden zippers that can be locked, and secure attachment points, like a cross-body strap or a sturdy clip. For tethers, look for those made of tear-resistant material with a reinforced clip or ring. Back up your phone's data If your phone falls into the wrong hands, there's a good chance you won't be getting it back. Out of those 91,000 phones stolen in London in 2022, only 1,915 (or about 2%) were recovered. The good news is that you can take precautions to make the loss of your phone less devastating by backing up your data before you travel. With backed-up data, you can acquire a new device and still access your photos, contacts, messages, and passwords. Moreover, if you have "Find My Device" or "Find My Phone" enabled, you can remotely wipe your stolen phone's data so the thief cannot access it. It's safest to back up your data to a hard drive and not just the cloud. That way, if you have to wipe your device, you don't accidentally erase the backup, too. Turn on "Find My Phone" In order for the previous tip on this list to work, "Find My Phone" must be turned on in advance, but remotely wiping your device isn't the only thing this feature allows you to do. The "Find My Phone" feature enables you to track your device, as long as it's turned on and not in airplane mode. This is particularly helpful if you misplaced your phone or left it somewhere since it can help you retrace your steps. While this feature won't show you the live location of a phone that has been turned off, it will show the phone's last known location. With "Find My Phone," you can also remotely lock your phone or enable "Lost Mode," which locks down the phone, suspends any in-phone payment methods, and displays contact information for returning the phone to you. If your phone was stolen, experts caution against taking matters into your own hands by chasing down the thief, since this could land you in a potentially dangerous situation and is unlikely to result in getting your phone back. Protect your passwords Strong passwords for important accounts help protect your information while you travel, but it's just a first step. The National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends creating long, unique, and complex passwords for every account and combining them with multifactor authentication to create maximum barriers to entry. If you're worried about remembering these passwords, password managers can be a vital tool for both creating and storing strong passwords. Password managers are apps that act as secure vaults for all your passwords. Some even come with a feature that allows you to temporarily delete sensitive passwords before you travel and then easily restore them once you return. Story editing by Mia Nakaji Monnier. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Spokeo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.The key political events to watch in 2025

🍷 A popular South Jersey winery is all festive for the holidays ❄ It looks like a scene out of a Hallmark movie 🎅 Come enjoy all the festivities it has to offer EGG HARBOR CITY — An historic South Jersey winery wants to get everyone in the holiday spirit with the return of its “Vintner Wonderland.” Now through January 20, 2025, Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City has been transformed into a scene out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, according to the winery. Bundle up and gather around cozy fire pits, dine inside igloos, sip hot spiced wine, indulge in hot chocolate, and enjoy sweets and treats, all while taking in the sights, songs, and flavors of the season. This year’s highlights include: Vintner Ice Rink – Glide across a sparkling outdoor rink surrounded by festive lights. This year, special charity programs at the rink will support the local community and those in need. Vintner Village – Explore a marketplace featuring artisan shops and culinary delights. Watch artisans hard at work. Purchase a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Family-Friendly Activities – Enjoy games for children of all ages, visit Santa Claus in his workshop, try your hand at arts and crafts, or get your face painted with a festive touch. Festival of Trees – The Renault family gives back this season to support Faces 4 Autism with their enchanting festival of decorated trees displayed and auctioned off through Dec. 20. Barrel Tree – Renault’s famous “barrel tree” is known as one of the most unique trees in the U.S. It will be at the center of the outdoor holiday village with twinkling lights cascading from each side. New this year include The Vintner Express Barrel Train – Hop aboard this whimsical train for a ride around the vineyard village. Grinch’s Lair Pop-Up Bar – Enjoy festive cocktails and a playful atmosphere inspired by the Grinch himself. Santa’s Workshop – Create memories with Santa in a cozy, photo-ready space filled with holiday cheer Louie’s Lounge Wine Bar – Unwind with a glass of Renault’s wines in an elegant setting designed for relaxation and celebration. Buddy’s Sweet Shoppe – Delight in holiday-themed treats and confections, plus Buddy’s ginormous hot chocolate. Signature Holiday Events Stories with Santa – Santa Claus will host “Stories with Santa” on Dec. 7, 12, 14, 19, and 21 at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Gather for a classic Christmas story with Santa, complete with freshly baked cookies from Café La Fleur. Kids will receive a special gift from Santa, chat with the “big guy” and photos after storytime. Cost is $15 per person. Vintner Wonderland at Renault Winery (Renault Winery) Breakfast with Santa – Enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa in Renault’s Champagne Ballroom on Dec. 15 and 22, at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and noon. Cost is $30 to $60 per person. Cookies and Cocktails – This is for adults only. Treat yourself to three signature cocktails paired with festive cookies in a lively holiday setting on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. Cost is $30 per person. Family Fun Nights at the Rink – Every Friday in December, bring the whole family for an evening of fun and festive activities. Cost is $15. Noon Year’s Eve – On Dec. 31, starting at 11:30 a.m., join Renault for a New Year’s Eve countdown for kids at noon. Lace up your skates and hit the ice in the Vintner Wonderland. Hang out in the igloos, and indulge in bites from the food trucks and sweet shops. When the clock strikes noon, raise your glasses to 2025 with a toast of nonalcoholic sparkling cider. New Year’s Eve Countdown and Champagne Toast – Enjoy a champagne toast on Dec. 31 in a commemorative champagne flute to take home. Renault also offers a Renault Passport Vinter Edition - The passport comes with premium seasonal perks designed to enhance the guest experience. The passport includes priority access to the events, dedicated parking close to the venue, a two-hour ice skating session with skate rentals included, a vintner express tractor ride, a s’mores kit, 10% off at the Renault gift shop, and more. Prices are $39 per person or $139 for a family four pack. Reindeer Run – This annual holiday-themed race is part of Vintner Wonderland on Dec. 21, rain or shine, with the one-mile kids fun run at 9:45 a.m. and the 5K run at 10 a.m. The cost of the 5K run is $30, until 6 p.m. on Dec. 20. The one-mile fun run price is $20 until 6 p.m. on Dec. 20. Registration after that time, and on race day will be $35 for the 5K and $25 for the one-mile fun run. Holiday Artisan Markets – From shopping for handcrafted treasures to indulging festive treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out holiday ornaments, artisanal foods, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind items on Dec.14 and Dec. 21. For a full schedule, passport details, and a full calendar of events, visit here . Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom New Jersey's 10 best holiday cookies Here's a little history lesson before you bake your favorite cookies! Gallery Credit: Jill CroceTORONTO - Jakob Poeltl, Kelly Olynyk and Davion Mitchell will all return to the Toronto Raptors lineup tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Poeltl missed Toronto’s 129-92 loss to the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday due to illness. Mitchell was listed as questionable with right hip stiffness after that loss, but Raptors head coach Dakro Rajakovic says he’s available against Dallas. It will be Olynyk’s first time playing in the 2024-25 season after missing the entire pre-season and first 23 games of the campaign with back spasms. Olynyk, who was born in Toronto but grew up in Kamloops, B.C., will add significant depth to the Raptors’ rotation. He averaged 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 28 games for Toronto last season after he was traded to the Raptors by the Utah Jazz on Feb. 8. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2024. Follow @jchidleyhill.bsky.social on BlueskyPowell: Fed's independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisionsCPI(M) demands immediate withdrawal of election rule amendment

Whether you're planning on working hard or hardly working in 2025, this refurbished iPad Air could be your perfect partner. Here's the deal: It's a few years old and pre-owned, so you save $274, even though it's still an excellent tablet for working on the go or entertainment at home. The only catch? Since you only have to pay $325 instead of $599, this iPad Air deal is expected to sell out fast—order yours as soon as possible. Working hard? Here's why it's great. If you're lugging around your laptop everywhere you go, having an iPad for work can be a real back-saver. Maybe you'd use it to take notes or work on presentations—this model is compatible with the Apple Pencil and Bluetooth keyboards (sold separately). Business owners might also love downloading point-of-sale apps or using a larger screen for social media marketing. You'll have 64GB of storage to add whatever you need and a roomy 10.9-inch display with vivid colors to make work just a little less painful. Hardly working? This iPad is a dream. We can't blame you if you want an iPad for reading , streaming in bed, or just playing apps. We all have a little bit of a kid in us. This model's lightweight build of less than a pound makes it a great device for pretty much whatever you want, especially if you're a traveler. If you're the type of person always on FaceTime chats, you'll love having an iPad instead of your tiny phone. The tablet has 7MP front and 12MP rear cameras for high-def friends and family calls. Don't miss out on this refurbished iPad deal : $325 for a 2020 iPad Air in grade "A" condition (reg. $599). Limited quantities are available. Apple iPad Air 4th Gen (2020) 64GB WiFi Sky Blue (Refurbished) - $324.97 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was hit on his throwing hand on the final play of an ugly first half and he did not start the second half Saturday in the Southeastern Conference championship game against Texas. Beck was hit by outside linebacker Trey Moore, forcing a fumble recovered by Anthony Hill Jr., who then lost the ball on an errant attempt to extend the play with a lateral as time expired. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest sports news delivered right to your inbox six days a week.

Detroit-area library says Chicago man can keep overdue baseball book — 50 years laterBomb blast kills farmer returning from farm in NigerBy Marco Trujillo and Dominique Vidalon , Reuters The word "Merci" was projected on to the front of Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral as it reopened, in thanks for its salvation after a devastating fire that brought the 860-year-old building close to collapse five years ago . The first responders who helped preserve the Gothic masterpiece and some of those who subsequently restored it received a standing ovation after the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, struck the doors of Notre-Dame three times with his crozier before symbolically reopening the building. "I stand before you to express the gratitude of the French nation, our gratitude to all those who saved, helped and rebuilt the cathedral," French President Emmanuel Macron said. "Tonight we can together share joy and pride. Long live Notre-Dame de Paris, long live the Republic and long live France." Minutes earlier, the cathedral's bells rang out and Macron welcomed guests including US President-elect Donald Trump. Pope Francis said it was a day of "joy, celebration and praise". In a message read aloud, the pope hoped "the rebirth of this admirable church would constitute a prophetic sign of the renewal of the Church in France". Notre-Dame has been meticulously restored, with a new spire and rib vaulting, its flying buttresses and carved stone gargoyles returned to their past glory and white stone and gold decorations shining brightly once again. Getting Trump to attend, and organising a meeting between him and Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee Palace ahead of the Notre-Dame ceremony, was a coup for Macron as he faces a political crisis at home, after parliament ousted his prime minister . Trump shook hands with Britain's Prince William and heads of state and government as he made his way to the front of the cathedral. He sat next to Macron in the front row. Earlier, guests stood and applauded as Zelensky walked into the cathedral. Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, a close adviser in Trump's transition team, also attended, as did Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former French presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy. Earlier, tourists, who still cannot go inside the cathedral, snapped pictures with the restored building in the background as final preparations for the event went on inside. "It was very sad to see it burnt down and all black and ashy but amazing to see it rebuilt. Yeah, it's very special," said 26-year-old US tourist Amanda Nguyen, from Texas. Some Parisians were particularly thrilled. "What does Notre-Dame mean to me? This. Look, it's here," said careworker Pascal Tordeux, displaying a tattoo on his arm representing the cathedral. "It means everything." "I saw the construction every day from my window, the spire being brought down, being brought back. I saw it burn, I saw it rise again. I followed it day by day," said Tordeux, who lives across the river from Notre-Dame. On the evening of 15 April, 2019, dismayed Parisians rushed to the scene and TV viewers worldwide watched horrified as the fire raged through the cathedral . "The planet was shaken on that day," Macron said ahead of Saturday's event. "The shock of the reopening will - I believe and I want to believe - be as strong as that of the fire, but it will be a shock of hope." Thousands worked on restoration Would-be visitors can now book a free ticket online, on the Cathedral's website. But on Saturday, the first day bookings could be made for the coming days, all tickets were gone, a message on the site said. Group visits will be allowed next year - from 1 February for religious groups or from 9 June for tourists with guides. The Catholic Church expects the cathedral to welcome 15 million visitors each year. Thousands of experts - from carpenters and stonemasons to stained glass window artists - worked around the clock for the last five years, using age-old methods to restore, repair or replace everything that was destroyed or damaged. "Notre-Dame is more than a Parisian or French monument. It's also a universal monument," historian Damien Berne said. "It's a landmark, an emblem, a point of reference that reassures in a globalised world where everything evolves permanently," Berne said, a member of the scientific council for the restoration. The cathedral's first stone was laid in 1163, and construction continued for much of the next century, with major restoration and additions made in the 17th and 18th centuries. Victor Hugo helped make the cathedral a symbol of Paris and France when he used it as a setting for his 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame . Quasimodo, the main character, has been portrayed in Hollywood movies, an animated Disney adaptation and in musicals. So much money poured in for the renovation from all over the world - more than 840 million euros (NZ$1.52 billion), according to Macron's office - there are still funds left over for further investment in the building. - ReutersDetroit-area library says Chicago man can keep overdue baseball book — 50 years later

Three days after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally gunned down by a masked man lying in wait outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel, the head of the insurer’s parent company addressed anxious staff in a video sent to all US employees. In it, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty told underlings that their work was “critical” in preventing the US medical system from providing “unnecessary” care he claimed would eventually drive up costs to an “unsustainable” level – as he complained about the “vitriolic” media coverage of the shooting. The two-minute-and-forty-five-second speech came in the wake of widespread glee over the news of Thompson’s murder by Americans who have been denied coverage while insurance companies earn record profits. While social media users shared anecdotes about being denied coverage some musicians have even written and shared murder ballads they composed following Thompson’s killing, elevating the as-yet unidentified subject, who remains on the run, to near-folk hero status. UnitedHealthcare reportedly has one of the highest denial rates in the entire healthcare industry, and was last year sued for allegedly using a “flawed” AI algorithm to “systematically deny” coverage to seniors. “I’m sure everybody has been disturbed by the amount of negative, and in many cases, vitriolic, media and commentary that has been produced over the last few days, particularly in the social media environment,” Witty said in the video, which was leaked to independent investigative journalist Ken Klippenstein. “And I want to reassure you of a few things.” Witty said the company would continue to put customers “first,” making an argument, without providing specifics, that UnitedHealthcare’s “mission... is truly to make sure that we help the system improve by helping the experiences of individuals get better and better.” He told employees that Thompson was dedicated to this somewhat nebulous goal, and claimed few people “in the history of the US healthcare industry [have] had a bigger positive effect on American healthcare than Brian.” According to Witty, UnitedHealthcare’s “role is a critical role” in making sure that care is “safe, appropriate, and is delivered when people need it.” At the same time, Witty emphasized, “[W]e guard against the pressures that exist for unsafe care, or for unnecessary care, to be delivered in a way which makes the whole system too complex, and ultimately unsustainable.” “So, we continue to make that case,” Witty said in conclusion. “We will continue to do the work we do... I encourage you to tune out that critical noise that we’re hearing right now. It does not reflect reality. It is simply a sign of an era in which we live.” Witty then exhorted staff to “focus on what we know to be true.” “And what we know to be true,” he went on, is that the “health system needs a company like UnitedHealth Group.” Investigators now believe the suspect in Thompson’s killing may be a disgruntled customer or client. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny revealed that three words were etched into rounds and shell casings found at the crime scene – “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” — a possible reference to Rutgers Law professor Jay Feinman’s book, Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It . (Feinman declined to comment when reached by this week by The Independent .) For its part, UnitedHealthcare issued a statement, saying: “While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place. So many patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken time out of their day to reach out. We are thankful, even as we grieve. Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brian’s family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice.” The as-yet unidentified shooter remains a fugitive with the multistate manhunt now in its third day.The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election rattled the country and sent shockwaves across the world — or were cause for celebration, depending on who you ask. Is it any surprise then that the Merriam-Webster word of the year is “polarization”? “Polarization means division, but it’s a very specific kind of division,” said Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster’s editor at large, in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press ahead of Monday’s announcement. “Polarization means that we are tending toward the extremes rather than toward the center.” The election was so divisive, many American voters went to the polls with a feeling that the opposing candidate was an existential threat to the nation. According to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters, about 8 in 10 Kamala Harris voters were very or somewhat concerned that Donald Trump’s views — but not Harris’ — were too extreme, while about 7 in 10 Trump voters felt the same way about Harris — but not Trump. The Merriam-Webster entry for “polarization” reflects scientific and metaphorical definitions. It’s most commonly used to mean “causing strong disagreement between opposing factions or groupings.” Merriam-Webster, which logs 100 million pageviews a month on its site, chooses its word of the year based on data, tracking a rise in search and usage. Last year’s pick was “authentic.” This year’s comes as large swaths of the U.S. struggle to reach consensus on what is real. “It’s always been important to me that the dictionary serve as a kind of neutral and objective arbiter of meaning for everybody,” Sokolowski said. “It’s a kind of backstop for meaning in an era of fake news, alternative facts, whatever you want to say about the value of a word’s meaning in the culture.” It’s notable that “polarization” originated in the early 1800s — and not during the Renaissance, as did most words with Latin roots about science, Sokolowski said. He called it a “pretty young word,” in the scheme of the English language. “Polarized is a term that brings intensity to another word,” he continued, most frequently used in the U.S. to describe race relations, politics and ideology. “The basic job of the dictionary is to tell the truth about words,” the Merriam-Webster editor continued. “We’ve had dictionaries of English for 420 years and it’s only been in the last 20 years or so that we’ve actually known which words people look up.” “Polarization” extends beyond political connotations. It’s used to highlight fresh cracks and deep rifts alike in pop culture, tech trends and other industries. All the scrutiny over Taylor Swift’s private jet usage? Polarizing. Beef between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake? Polarizing. The International Olympic Committee’s decision to strip American gymnast Jordan Chiles of her bronze medal after the Paris Games? You guessed it: polarizing. Even lighthearted memes — like those making fun of Australian breakdancer Rachael “Raygun” Gunn’s performance — or the proliferation of look-alike contests, or who counts as a nepo baby proved polarizing. Paradoxically though, people tend to see eye to eye on the word itself. Sokolowski cited its frequent use among people across the political spectrum, including commentators on Fox News, MSNBC and CNN. “It’s used by both sides,” he said, “and in a little bit ironic twist to the word, it’s something that actually everyone agrees on.” Rounding out Merriam-Webster’s top 10 words of 2024: Demure TikToker Jools Lebron’s 38-second video describing her workday makeup routine as “very demure, very mindful” lit up the summer with memes. The video has been viewed more than 50 million times, yielding “huge spikes” in lookups, Sokolowski said, and prompting many to learn it means reserved or modest. Fortnight Taylor Swift’s song “Fortnight,” featuring rapper Post Malone, undoubtedly spurred many searches for this word, which means two weeks. “Music can still send people to the dictionary,” Sokolowski said. Totality The solar eclipse in April inspired awe and much travel. There are tens of millions of people who live along a narrow stretch from Mexico’s Pacific coast to eastern Canada, otherwise known as the path of totality, where locals and travelers gazed skyward to see the moon fully blot out the sun. Generally, the word refers to a sum or aggregate amount — or wholeness. Resonate “Texts developed by AI have a disproportionate percentage of use of the word ‘resonate,’” Sokolowski said. This may be because the word, which means to affect or appeal to someone in a personal or emotional way, can add gravitas to writing. But, paradoxically, artificial intelligence “also betrays itself to be a robot because it’s using that word too much.” Allision The word was looked up 60 times more often than usual when, in March, a ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. “When you have one moving object into a fixed object, that’s an allision, not a collision. You’re showing that one of the two objects struck was not, in fact, in motion,” Sokolowski said. Weird This summer on the TV news show “Morning Joe,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called Republican leaders “weird.” It may have been what launched his national career, landing him as the Democratic vice presidential nominee. Though it’s a word that people typically misspell — is it “ei” or “ie”? — and search for that reason, its rise in use was notable, Sokolowski said. Cognitive Whether the word was used to raise questions about President Joe Biden’s debate performance or Trump’s own age, it cropped up often. It refers to conscious intellectual activity — such as thinking, reasoning or remembering. Pander Pander was used widely in political commentary, Sokolowski said. “Conservative news outlets accused Kamala Harris of pandering to different groups, especially young voters, Black voters, gun rights supporters.” Whereas Walz said Trump’s visit to a McDonald’s kitchen pandered to hourly wage workers. It means to say, do, or provide what someone — such as an audience — wants or demands even though it is not “good, proper, reasonable, etc.” Democracy In 2003, Merriam-Webster decided to make “democracy” its first word of the year. Since then, the word — which, of course, means a form of government in which the people elect representatives to make decisions, policies and laws — is consistently one of the dictionary’s most looked up. “There’s a poignancy to that, that people are checking up on it,” Sokolowski said. “Maybe the most hopeful thing that the curiosity of the public shows, is that they’re paying attention.”

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to increase the pension for specially-abled persons to Rs 3,000 from Rs 1,000, Health and Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo said on Sunday. She said Rs 1,000 is a "meagre amount" and the planned increase would alleviate the financial burden on the families that are taking care of differently-abled members. "The Omar-led government is committed to addressing all issues faced by people, especially the specially-abled community. We are working to increase the disability pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 per month," Itoo told reporters here. She further informed that a proposal has been moved and is under process. "We are working fast on increasing the amount from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000. Very soon, we will finalise it," she assured. During a visit to the artificial limbs camp organised by Shree Atam Vallabh Jain Clinic at Brahman Sabha Parade, she commended the community's service to humanity through such initiatives and assured her full support for future endeavours. She said the government is dedicated to providing necessary resources and support for specially-abled persons to ensure their independence and dignity. Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Strategy ESG and Business Sustainability Strategy By - Vipul Arora, Partner, ESG & Climate Solutions at Sattva Consulting Author I Speaker I Thought Leader View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) ChatGPT Mastery from Zero to Hero: The Complete AI Course By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Tabnine AI Masterclass: Optimize Your Coding Efficiency By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Crypto & NFT Mastery: From Basics to Advanced By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Web Development C++ Fundamentals for Absolute Beginners By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Data Analysis Learn Power BI with Microsoft Fabric: Complete Course By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass By - CA Himanshu Jain, Ex McKinsey, Moody's, and PwC, Co - founder, The WallStreet School View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Legal Complete Guide to AI Governance and Compliance By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy for Non-Finance Executives By - CA Raja, Chartered Accountant | Financial Management Educator | Former AVP - Credit, SBI View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Microsoft Word Mastery: From Beginner to Expert By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Entrepreneurship Boosting Startup Revenue with 6 AI-Powered Sales Automation Techniques By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Startup Fundraising: Essential Tactics for Securing Capital By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program The minister made the remarks while distributing artificial limbs, calipers, crutches, tricycles and wheelchairs to specially-abled persons at the Brahman Sabha Parade. Itoo emphasised the government's commitment to the welfare of the disabled community, highlighting its determination to uplift and improve the quality of their life. She assured the gathering that the government would continue to prioritize the needs of the disabled community, with plans to enhance accessibility and support for them. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

BOZEMAN — The No. 1-seeded Montana State football team rolled to a 49-17 victory over UT Martin in a second-round FCS playoff game Saturday at Bobcat Stadium. The Bobcats improved to 13-0 for their first 13-win season in program history. MSU got going early with a 14-yard carry and a 5-yard catch by wide receiver Ty McCullouch. Quarterback Tommy Mellott scrambled for another 25 yards, and Mellott later found tight end Hunter Provience wide open for the 24-yard touchdown. Provience’s first career score made it 7-0 MSU. Both teams traded punts. The Bobcats continued to pressure UTM QB Kinkead Dent, with linebacker McCade O’Reilly and defensive back Tayden Gray nearly picking off passes. Meanwhile, MSU’s offense stalled out on its next two possessions. After a third-down stop by safety Rylan Ortt and cornerback Simeon Woodard to force another UTM punt, MSU finally got back on track. Running back Scottre Humphrey broke off a 30-yard run and a face mask penalty on UTM was added to the end of the run. Mellott then threw a dime to WR Taco Dowler over multiple defenders in the back of the end zone. MSU led 14-0. The Bobcats added to the lead on their next drive. TE Ryan Lonergan got MSU to midfield on a 32-yard catch and run. McCullouch tried another designed pass — this time more of a wobbler than a tight spiral — intended for Dowler, which came up short. But UTM was called for pass interference. McCullouch later scored on a 6-yard jet sweep. The Skyhawks converted a fourth-and-3 and a third-and-1 to get inside the MSU 25-yard line for the first time. Ortt tackled UTM RB Patrick Smith short on a third-and-6 — the safety’s third stop on third down in the first half. UTM got on the board with a 37-yard field goal. UTM’s Keyshawn Johnson sacked Mellott on a third-and-8 — the 10th sack MSU has allowed all season — to force a punt. After a sack by MSU defensive end Kenneth Eiden IV and a 3-yard run by Dent, UTM faced a third-and-12 on its own 22. MSU called a timeout with 2 minutes, 13 seconds left in the first half. On the next play, though, Dent fired a deep pass to Trevonte Rucker, who was wide open around midfield. Rucker out-ran multiple defenders en route to the end zone. That was the longest play from scrimmage MSU’s defense has allowed since Sept. 24, 2022, against Eastern Washington (80-yard TD catch). That score made it 21-10 MSU. An immediate answer from the Bobcats followed. Mellott hit Dowler on a 21-yard pass. A few plays later, Mellott connected with McCullouch on a 39-yard TD pass. UTM’s JaMichael McGoy fell down in coverage, leading McCullouch wide open and giving MSU a 28-10 lead. That play was the eighth TD McCullouch has accounted for this season (five receiving, two rushing, one passing). At halftime, MSU led 28-10 and out-gained UTM 290-178 in total yards. Mellott was 14 of 17 for 178 yards and three TDs. McCullouch had 71 all-purpose yards (51 receiving, 20 rushing) and two TDs. UTM was forced to punt on the opening drive of the second half, which was returned by Dowler 40 yards to the UTM 37. Two plays later, Humphrey scored on a 36-yard TD run to put MSU up 35-10. That gave Humphrey his 14th rushing TD of the year. Mellott later connected with Lonergan again, this time on a 48-yard catch and run. Three plays later, Dowler took a screen pass 29 yards for his second receiving TD of the game. That also gave Mellott four passing TDs for the second time in his career, previously doing so against Northern Colorado on Oct. 5. On the next MSU drive, Mellott set a new career high for passing yards in a game on an 8-yard throw to WR Aidan Garrigan. Mellott finished with 300 passing yards, and also later set a new career-high in single-game completions with 22. RB Adam Jones added a 30-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to put MSU up 49-10. Dent later found Rucker for a 4-yard TD catch. MSU will next host the winner of No. 8 seed Idaho and Lehigh in the FCS quarterfinals on either Dec. 13 or 14.LOS ANGELES, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show, one of the world's most influential automotive events, opened to the public on Friday in the largest city in the Western United States, displaying hundreds of latest models, including gas, hybrid and EV vehicles, from major car manufacturers. Hosted in the heart of the largest car-buying and electric vehicle market in the country, the show, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, will run through Dec. 1 with about 1,000 vehicles. Founded in 1907, the Los Angeles Auto Show is a must-attend event for prospective car buyers, industry executives, influencers, car enthusiasts. Visitors will have chance to take indoor and outdoor test drives during the show. The event, the first major North American auto show of the season annually, contributes several hundred million dollars to the city's economy, stimulates the local job market, according to the organizers. The show celebrates the enduring love that Angelenos have for their cars and offers a global platform for industry debuts, technology, and innovation, said the organizers on the show's website.Julie Geiser: Celebrate Christmas at the Codys

The Omniverse Africa, a leading platform for innovation, digitalization and technology in Africa, is excited to announce its continued partnership with GIZ/Digital Transformation Center Nigeria (DTC Nigeria), which is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, for the 2025 Omniverse Summit. The Commission Manager, GIZ, Digital Transformation Center Nigeria, Dr. Thuweba Diwani, in a statement made available to journalists at the weekend, said that the renewed collaboration solidifies the commitment of both organizations to empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs, particularly MSMEs, through digital transformation and innovation. Diwani said that “GIZ/DTC Nigeria is committed to driving digital innovation and nurturing entrepreneurial spirit across Africa. “By joining forces with the Omniverse Africa, GIZ/DTC Nigeria aims to significantly accelerate the digital transformation journey of Nigerian MSMEs. “This strategic partnership will provide Nigerian MSMEs with the essential tools, resources, and expertise needed to thrive in the global market.” Dwani said that through the partnership, “MSMEs will gain access to cutting-edge digital solutions, mentorship programmes, and networking opportunities that will enable them to overcome challenges and seize new opportunities. “By fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem, GIZ/DTC Nigeria and Omniverse Africa are working together to create a sustainable future for Nigerian MSMEs, contributing to the overall economic growth and development of the country.'” The Omniverse Summit 2025, scheduled for February 25th to 28th at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, promises to be a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and innovation. Over the course of four days, attendees will engage with industry experts, investors, and fellow innovators to explore emerging trends and opportunities across various sectors. This partnership continues to advance the mission of supporting MSMEs in leveraging digital technology to achieve sustainable growth and success.NoneRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — CNN wants a court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson that attacks its report that he made explicit posts on a pornography website’s message board. The network says Robinson presented no evidence that the network believed its story was false or aired it recklessly. The September report says Robinson, who ran unsuccessfully for governor this month, left statements over a decade ago on the message board in which, in part, he referred to himself as a “black NAZI" and said he enjoyed transgender pornography. The report also says he preferred Adolf Hitler to then-President Barack Obama and slammed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as “worse than a maggot.” Robinson, who was seeking to become the state's first Black governor, said he didn’t write those posts and sued in October, just before early in-person voting was to begin. While filing a dismissal motion Thursday in Raleigh federal court, attorneys for CNN said Robinson’s arguments suggesting he was the likely victim of a computer hacking operation that created fake messages would require a series of events that is not just “implausible, it is ridiculous.” Generally speaking, a public official claiming defamation must show a defendant knew a statement it made was false or did so with reckless disregard for the truth. “Robinson did not and cannot plausibly allege facts that show that CNN published the Article with actual malice,” attorney Mark Nebrig wrote in a memo backing the dismissal motion, adding that the lawsuit “does not include a single allegation demonstrating that CNN doubted the veracity of its reporting.” For Robinson, who already had a history of inflammatory comments about topics like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights , the CNN story nearly led to the collapse of his campaign. After the report's airing, most of his top campaign staff quit, advertising from the Republican Governors Association stopped and fellow Republicans distanced themselves from him, including President-elect Donald Trump. Robinson lost to Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein by nearly 15 points and will leave office at year-end. Robinson's lawsuit was initially filed in state court. It says, in part, that CNN chose to run its report based on data from the website NudeAfrica, which had been hacked several years ago and ran on vulnerable, outdated software. His suit claims the network did nothing to verify the posts. He's seeking monetary damages. Thursday's memo highlights the network's story, including a section where the CNN journalists showed how they connected Robinson to a username on the NudeAfrica site. As the CNN story said previously, the memo says the network matched details of the account on the message board to other online accounts held by Robinson by comparing usernames, an email address and his full name. The details discussed by the account holder matched Robinson’s length of marriage, where he lived at the time, and that both Robinson and the account holder had mothers who worked at a historically Black university, the memo says. CNN also said it found matches of figures of speech used by both the NudeAfrica account holder and in Robinson’s social media posts. “This is hardly a case where, as Robinson alleges, CNN ‘disregarded or deliberately avoided the truth’ rather than investigate,” Nebrig said, adding later that the network “had no reason to seriously doubt that Robinson was the author” of the posts. Robinson's attorneys didn't immediately respond to an email Friday seeking comment. The lawsuit says anyone could have used Robinson's breached data to create accounts on the internet. His state lawsuit also sued Louis Love Money, a former porn shop worker who alleged in a music video and a media interview that for several years starting in the 1990s, Robinson frequented a porn shop where Money was working and that Robinson purchased porn videos from him. Robinson said that was untrue. Money filed his own dismissal motion in the state lawsuit. But since then, CNN moved the lawsuit to federal court, saying that it's the proper venue for a North Carolina resident like Robinson and a Georgia-based company like CNN and that the claims against Money are unrelated.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wrapped up a historic two-day visit to Kuwait, achieving a new milestone by elevating diplomatic relationships to a strategic partnership. This marks the first visit by an Indian leader to the Gulf nation in 43 years, showcasing the commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. During his landmark visit, Modi engaged in extensive dialogues with Kuwait's top leaders, including discussions with Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Key areas of focus included information technology, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure. Both nations are optimistic that the newly minted strategic partnership will flourish in the future. The Gulf nation honored Modi with 'The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer' for his role in enhancing the relations between the two countries. The Indian community in Kuwait, the largest expat community, showed immense support, reflecting the deep-rooted ties. In a striking economic note, India and Kuwait's trade reached $10.47 billion, further solidifying their partnership. (With inputs from agencies.)

Aston Villa scored three first-half goals as they recorded their first win since October with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Brentford at Villa Park. Villa’s last win came against Fulham 46 days and eight games ago but they jumped back into the top half of the Premier League table with a scintillating first 45 minutes. Unai Emery has never gone nine matches without a win as manager but Brentford never threatened to prolong that run as Villa cashed in with goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash. Brentford have only managed one point away from home all season and Mikkel Damsgaard’s effort after the break proved to be in vain as their miserable run on the road continued. Tyrone Mings made his first start in the Premier League since August 2023 in place of Pau Torres while Leon Bailey was brought into the side following their heavy loss to Chelsea. Bees boss Thomas Frank opted for Vitaly Janelt and Yehor Yarmoliuk over Christian Norgaard and Mathias Jensen. It took a quarter of an hour but Villa began to knock the ball about and the tension inside Villa Park alleviated as the hosts took the lead in the 21st minute. Boubacar Kamara’s beautiful turn in the middle of the park set Watkins on his way and he teed up Rogers outside the box who whipped into the far corner in magnificent fashion. Villa went two in front when Ethan Pinnock dragged Watkins down inside the area and the penalty was eventually given by referee Lewis Smith. Watkins dusted himself down and sneaked his spot-kick into the bottom right corner from 12 yards. Emery’s side showed no mercy and added a third 11 minutes before the break as the French full-back Lucas Digne’s cross fell to Cash who was waiting at the back post to slam home. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion The Bees got themselves on the scoresheet in the 54th minute as Bryan Mbeumo’s cross was diverted into the path of Damsgaard who lashed high into the net. Watkins then wasted an opportunity to restore Villa’s three-goal lead but his side settled for three goals and a return to winning ways.