Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now Scores and stats from Orange County games on Saturday, Nov. 30 Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register. The deadline for submitting information is 10:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 p.m. Saturday . SATURDAY’S SCORES BOYS BASKETBALL RANCHO ALAMITOS TOURNAMENT Rancho Alamitos 56, Montclair 41 NONLEAGUE Sunny Hills 62, Laguna Beach 41NEW YORK (AP) — A shoplifting ring that stole nearly $2 million in clothes and beauty products from Macy’s and other well-known stores in the U.S. and then resold them in New York City and the Dominican Republic has been busted, law enforcement officials announced Tuesday. Five New Yorkers have been charged with felony possession of stolen property, conspiracy and other related crimes, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. The bust served as a reminder to shoppers as the holiday shopping season kicks off in earnest with Black Friday this week to make sure they are supporting legitimate establishments, she said. “When a deal seems too good to be true, I guarantee you, it’s too good to be true,” Katz said. Nationally, businesses lose roughly $100 billion and the average family pays $500 more a year because of the impact of organized retail theft, according to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who joined the district attorney and other law enforcement officials in Queens. The Democrat said the arrests also marked the first time anyone has been charged under a new criminal statute of fostering the sale of stolen goods that she recently signed into law to help crack down on retail theft. “This is real simple. We’ve had enough with criminals preying on our citizens,” Hochul said. “We are sick and tired of our citizens feeling they’re vulnerable to random crimes on the streets or these sophisticated organized crime rings. And we are coming after you.” Katz, the district attorney, said the group stole high-end makeup, perfume, beauty products, designer clothing and accessories from stores ranging from Macy’s to Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle, Sephora and Ulta Beauty over a roughly two-year period. The group’s leaders, married couple Cristopher Guzman and Yvelisse Guzman Batista, directed shoplifting crews to steal specific merchandise as they hit multiple stores in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and elsewhere along the East Coast, she said. They also paid truck drivers to divert products bound for retailers from manufacturer warehouses directly to locations under their control. The group, operating out of a home in Queens, then resold the merchandise online as well as at a brick-and-mortar boutique called Yvelisse Fashion in Santiago, a city in the Dominican Republic. Vince Scala, a lawyer for the couple and two of the other defendants, said his clients pleaded not guilty at their arraignment Saturday. They were released pending their next court date in January. “The charges are only a couple of days old, and I have not seen a single piece of evidence, discovery or police reports,” he said. “I look forward to reviewing the case at the appropriate time.” Tuesday’s announcement is part of a broader push from Hochul to counter Republican criticisms that Democrats in New York are soft on public safety issues, an issue that hurt her party in the 2022 midterm elections and has remained a consistent talking point for the GOP. Earlier this year, Hochul signed off on a handful of policies aimed at cracking down on retail theft, including increased criminal penalties for assaulting retail workers, new funding for law enforcement teams dedicated to retail theft and tax credits for businesses to install security cameras. She also approved policies that allow prosecutors to combine the value of stolen goods when filing larceny charges and made it easier to criminally charge third-party sellers of stolen goods. Retail theft has also been a concern elsewhere. Videos of brazen shoplifting crews rampaging through stores have been widely shared on social media, fueling widespread frustration that retail crime is rampant and unpunished. Earlier this month, California voters overwhelmingly passed a tough-on-crime ballot measure that makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders again. The measure partly rolled back a progressive law passed by voters a decade ago downgrading several nonviolent crimes to misdemeanors, including theft under $950 in value. Associated Press reporter Anthony Izaguirre in Albany contributed to this story. Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo .
DUBLIN (AP) — Vote counting was underway Saturday in Ireland’s national election after an exit poll suggested the contest is a close-fought race among the country’s three largest political parties. Election officials opened ballot boxes at count centers across the country, kicking off what could be several days of tallying the results. If the exit poll is borne out, that could be followed by days or weeks of negotiations to form a coalition government. The exit poll suggested voters’ support is split widely among the three big parties — Fine Gael , Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein — as well as several smaller parties and an assortment of independents ranging from the left to the far right. The poll said center-right party Fine Gael was the first choice of 21% of voters, and another center-right party, Fianna Fail, of 19.5%. The two parties governed in coalition before the election. Left-of-center opposition party Sinn Fein was at 21.1% in the poll. Pollster Ipsos B&A asked 5,018 voters across the country how they had cast their ballots. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.4 percentage points. The figures only give an indication and don’t reveal which parties will form the next government. Ireland uses a complex system of proportional representation in which each of the country’s 43 constituencies elects several lawmakers and voters rank candidates in order of preference. As a result, it can take some time for full results to be known. Fianna Fail politician Michael McGrath, a former finance minister and now a European Union official, said “a number of different parties and groups will have to be involved” in forming a government. “I hope it is a stable government that has the prospect of lasting the five years because of the challenges we are facing in Ireland and throughout the European Union," he told the PA news agency at a count in Cork, southwest Ireland. “Let’s allow the picture to emerge over the days ahead.” The result will show whether Ireland bucks the global trend of incumbents being ousted by disgruntled voters after years of pandemic, international instability and cost-of-living pressures. The cost of living — especially Ireland’s acute housing crisis — was a dominant topic in the three-week campaign, alongside immigration, which has become an emotive and challenging issue in a country of 5.4 million people long defined by emigration. The outgoing government was led by the two parties that have dominated Irish politics for the past century: Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. They have similar policies but are longtime rivals with origins on opposing sides of Ireland’s 1920s civil war. After the 2020 election ended in a virtual dead heat, they formed a coalition. Before polling day, analysts said the most likely outcome was another Fine Gael-Fianna Fail coalition. That remains a likely option. The front-runners to be the next taoiseach, or prime minister, are current Taoiseach Simon Harris of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin — despite their parties’ relatively lackluster showing. The two parties would need the support of smaller groups or independents to achieve a majority in the 174-seat Dail, the lower house of Parliament. The Green Party, which held 12 seats in the last parliament and propped up the governing coalition, acknowledged that it was headed for a disappointing result. Among a large crop of independent candidates was reputed organized crime boss Gerry “the Monk” Hutch, who has seen a groundswell of support since he was bailed on money-laundering charges in Spain this month in order to run for election. Early results suggested he stood a good chance of winning a seat in Dublin. Sinn Fein achieved a stunning breakthrough in the 2020 election, topping the popular vote, but was shut out of government because Fianna Fail and Fine Gael refused to work with it, citing its leftist policies and historic ties with militant group the Irish Republican Army during three decades of violence in Northern Ireland. Though Sinn Fein, which aims to reunite Northern Ireland with the independent Republic of Ireland, could become the largest party in the Dail, it may struggle to get enough coalition partners to form a government. During the election campaign, both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail maintained they would not go into government with it. A Sinn Fein-led government would shake up Irish politics – and the future of the United Kingdom. The party is already the largest in Northern Ireland, and a Sinn Fein government in the republic would push for a referendum on Irish reunification in the next few years. The party, which had urged people to vote for change, hailed the result after the exit poll was released. “There is every chance that Sinn Fein will emerge from these elections as the largest political party,” Sinn Fein director of elections Matt Carthy told broadcaster RTE on Friday night. Lawless reported from London.Foundation stone laid for city’s 2nd School of Eminence
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At COP29 in Baku, carbon credits ignited intense debate from the very start. While Azerbaijan, the host nation, celebrated progress on Article 6, climate justice groups criticised carbon markets for enabling major polluters to continue emitting greenhouse gases. A carbon credit represents the right to emit one metric tonne of CO2 equivalent or an equivalent amount of other greenhouse gases (GHGs). These credits can be generated through projects that either avoid emissions or sequester carbon from the atmosphere, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives. Indeed, the cross-border carbon markets are not new. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), established under the Kyoto Protocol, has been operated since 2004. The CDM allowed developed countries to invest in emission reduction projects in developing nations in order to claim carbon credits to offset emissions generated in their own countries. Therefore, industrial investors and companies in developed nations invested in CDM projects in other countries to meet their own emission targets without disrupting their economic activities. It must be recalled that Article 6 of the Paris Agreement enhances the CDM, which aims to foster international collaboration to achieve Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) -- each country's specific climate action plans to limit global warming. Article 6 introduces two distinct pathways for carbon trading. Article 6.2 allows two countries to forge bilateral carbon trading agreements tailored to their specific needs. This means that countries can directly negotiate how they will exchange carbon credits, providing flexibility and cooperation based on mutual goals. Article 6.4 aims to establish a centralised, United Nations-managed system. This system is intended to create a standardised framework where countries and companies can offset their carbon emissions by purchasing and trading verified carbon credits. The UN oversees this process to ensure transparency. Supporters of the carbon market argue that carbon credits are essential for incentivising companies to reduce emissions and for channelling financial resources to projects in the Global South. They believe a global carbon market enhances efficiency by allowing countries to leverage their unique strengths. For example, renewable energy projects such as solar farms in countries with abundant natural resources and lower labour costs can generate carbon credits more cheaply than similar projects in high-income nations with limited renewable potential. This results in lower costs per ton of carbon reduced on a global scale. A report by the International Emissions Trading Association, a Geneva-based think tank, states that the full implementation of Article 6 could reduce the costs associated with meeting NDCs by up to $250 billion (8.7 trillion baht) by 2030. This financial incentive is particularly crucial for developing nations that may struggle to fund their climate initiatives independently. Opponents argue that carbon markets can perpetuate "carbon colonialism". Under this premonition, vast lands in the Global South will be used to offset emissions from the Global North, allowing wealthy nations to evade their direct climate responsibilities. A significant concern is the negative impact on human rights, as reported by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The current carbon market system lacks adequate human rights and environmental safeguards, making it vulnerable to abuse. For instance, communities involved in forest conservation projects in Peru, which sell carbon credits, have faced forced evictions and conflicts with local authorities. Similarly, some hydropower projects that sell carbon credits highlight their environmental benefits while ignoring the social impacts, such as displacing local communities and losing traditional ways of life. These cases show that without strict regulations, carbon markets can cause social injustices. A particularly troubling issue is that some carbon credits may not deliver the promised carbon reduction. One notable example is the forest conservation projects in Kariba, Zimbabwe. Verified by Verra, the world's largest carbon credit certifier, the Kariba project has sold carbon credits worth hundreds of millions of euros since 2011. However, the carbon credits sold by this project are based on a questionable estimation model that predicts the deforestation rate if conservation projects were not in place and then claims that the preserved trees can be sold as carbon removal credits. For example, if the model estimates a deforestation rate of 3% per year and assumes that conservation projects reduce this rate to zero, the project can sell carbon credits equivalent to the sequestered carbon from those 3% of forests that have been preserved. In theory, this approach works in an ideal scenario where long-term deforestation rates can be accurately predicted without conservation projects. In reality, these estimations are prone to overestimation, meaning that the actual emission reductions may be significantly lower than the carbon credits sold in the market. The Kariba project is not an isolated incident. A recent study published in Nature Communications, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, analysed 65 studies that evaluated the quality of carbon credits across 2,346 carbon mitigation projects. The researchers estimate that out of the 972 million carbon credits issued globally to date, approximately 812 million do not correspond to a full metric ton of C02 reduction. In other words, only about 16% of carbon credits accurately reflect climate impact. These findings present grim prospects for the carbon market. However, there is also a silver lining because at least the valid carbon credits are above zero. The challenge now is to expand the proportion of high-quality carbon credits and prevent fraudulent projects from entering the market. Lessons from over two decades of experience, combined with improved monitoring technology and more accurate estimation methods, can help achieve this. These statistics also indicate that the carbon market is not a silver bullet but should serve as a supporting mechanism to facilitate a low-carbon transition. The ideal carbon credit should be high in quality, limited in quantity, and appropriately priced, with strict monitoring and regulations. Additionally, effective grievance mechanisms must be in place to ensure that carbon markets do not violate human rights. Phasing out fossil fuels remains an urgent priority, and formalised climate finance from developed countries is still necessary to address climate change effectively. Carbon markets cannot replace the need for direct action and substantial financial support to achieve meaningful climate progress. Ultimately, whether carbon credits become a valuable tool in the fight against climate change or remain ineffective and potentially harmful hinges on the well-regulated Article 6. The outcomes of COP29's discussions on Article 6 may not be perfect, but at least they provide much-needed clarity to international efforts to coordinate emissions trading and carbon crediting. Importantly, the agreement ensures that countries will continue dialogue on this issue and persist in refining and improving the guidelines. Rapeepat Ingkasit is the head of research at Climate Finance Network Thailand (CFNT), a think tank devoted to propelling sustainable financial practices and assisting in Thailand's transition towards a low-carbon economy. Learn more at https://climatefinancethai.com .Bathinda: Punjab’s area under cotton cultivation has declined sharply over the last decade, driven by erratic rainfall, extreme temperatures during the growing season, pest infestations, and a shift to more lucrative crops. Union minister of state for textiles Pabitra Margherita highlighted these challenges in a written response to Punjab MP Raghav Chadha in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. To address these issues, the agriculture and farmers’ welfare department has been implementing the Cotton Development Programme under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) since the financial year 2014-15. This is to enhance the production and productivity of cotton across its 15 major growing states, including Punjab. Increasing minimum support price (MSP) is the first measure, followed by timely water supply from canals, financial support during the pink bollworm infestations, and subsidies on seeds. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducted training, field visits, and demonstrations to disseminate best practices for managing pests and diseases. Under the Crop Diversification Programme for the year 2024-25, it conducted 6,000 demonstrations to promote sustainable farming practices . The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) plays a key role in stabilizing cotton prices by procuring crops at MSP when market prices fall below the threshold. However, the volume of procurement has declined significantly in recent years, from 3.56 lakh bales procured in 2019-20 to only 38,000 bales procured in 2023-24. Chadha attributed the decade-long decline in Punjab’s cotton crop to climatic challenges, pest infestations, and soil degradation. He asked the central govt about its plans to provide targeted technological and financial support to address these challenges and promote sustainable cotton farming in the region. Minister Margherita acknowledged the drop and outlined initiatives to aid farmers, including higher MSP and financial relief. We also published the following articles recently Cotton farmers awaiting higher prices amid hopes from new govt Maharashtra's cotton farmers are holding onto their harvest, anticipating a bonus payout from the newly elected government, mirroring hopes raised by pre-election promises for soybean MSP hikes. Despite current private market rates slightly below the MSP of 7,521 per quintal, farmers expect prices to reach 8,000. Lower national yield and rising global rates further fuel this optimism. ICAR nod for 2 cotton research centres in T, ops begins next FY Telangana's cotton research gets a boost with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) approving two new All India Coordinated Research Project Centres. Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) successfully advocated for these centers after a decade of limited national research involvement. Modi government to purchase all farm produce at MSP, assures agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Rajya Sabha Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured Parliament that the Modi government is committed to procuring all farm produce at minimum support prices (MSP). He emphasized the government's policy of calculating MSP with a 50% profit margin over production costs, contrasting it with previous administrations. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .NoneJPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has been in communication with Donald Trump over the past few months through back channels, helping shape the president-elect’s policy agenda, The New York Post reported, citing four sources close to Trump’s transition team. Dimon , a Wall Street veteran , has acted as “a sounding board” for Trump ’s economic plans, as per the news report. According to one GOP insider, the report added, Dimon has participated in “no-holds-barred conversations” with Trump ’s inner circle, discussing areas such as government spending, banking regulations, taxes, and trade. Both the Trump transition team and JPMorgan declined to comment, the news report said. Earlier on November 14, Trump announced via Truth Social that Dimon “will not be invited” to join his Cabinet. Dimon responded firmly, stating, “I haven’t had a boss in 25 years, and I’m not about ready to start.” Also, in recent remarks, Dimon , a registered Democrat, suggested that Trump’s tariff threats could drive negotiations, expressing hope that the measures are implemented wisely. Despite declining to endorse a candidate during the election, Dimon has been critical of US banking regulations , labeling them an “onslaught” at a New York conference in late October. “It’s time to fight back. I’ve had it with this s—t,” he reportedly said, emphasizing that some rules were detrimental to businesses and low-income individuals. This developing relationship between Dimon and Trump highlights the intersection of Wall Street influence and governmental policy under the incoming administration.
Wodonga residents now have access to more shops as the city's newest complex has been unveiled. or signup to continue reading Businesses at the Anzac Parade Retail Super Centre have started opening their doors, including hardware and tool chain Total Tools, which opened on Wednesday, November 27. Total Tools' Albury and Wodonga owner Alex Patnaude said the response to their opening has been fantastic. "There's lots of people coming through and lots of interest," he said. "Lots of people are excited to have a store on this side of the river." He has been talking about opening a store in Wodonga for about 15 years, with works coming to fruition in 2021. The store's specialities are "all the tools that tradesmen need to do their job and earn their living" including power tools, accessories, safety equipment, ladders, air tools, compressors, and storage and transport options for tools. "Part of the reason for having a store over here is that we strengthen our offer in the region by having an additional store over in Wodonga," Mr Patnaude said. The store has a grand opening celebration planned for Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14. Mr Patnaude also owns the entire complex with his brother Chris, which holds seven stores and a fast food outlet. The complex has been built by Premier Building and Construction, owned by Anthony and Melanie Baker, with a total retail floor space of 9300 square metres as well as a drive-through Guzman Y Gomez set to open next year. The complex's substation also has a vinyl decorative wrap of a soldier's silhouette honouring Anzac Parade. has started trading with Olympian Lauren Jackson joining in the celebrations for the sports store's opening in Wodonga. AMX Superstores also began trading on Thursday, December 5, specialising in motorcycle accessories and parts for both road and offroad riding, including helmets, riding gear, boots, oils and tyres. RSEA Safety will begin trading on Saturday, December 14, stocking brands including Carhartt, Eleven and Helly Hensen, with CAT launching in store in January. World Gym Wodonga will be the gym's first Victorian club and will open early next year, offering a 1000-square-metre weights floor and a 2200-square-metre gym space across two storeys. The gym will have three classrooms with reformer pilates, group fitness and functional fitness, a creche and a recovery zone with infrared saunas and relaxation spas. 4WD Supacentre will open its doors on Friday, February 14, with children's entertainment, giveaways and food vendors. The store will stock Adventure Kings gear, offering a large range of outdoor and camping equipment from battery systems to off-grid essentials. Supercheap Auto will also be relocating from its current premises in Wodonga's Homemaker Centre in January. Business Wodonga chief executive Graham Jenkin said it was positive to see major retailers cement their place in the North East. "This is a tremendous outcome, having developments like this for Wodonga," he said. "No longer will people have to go over to Albury to visit these sorts of stores. "We have a and it's great to see national retailers really seeing the potential for Wodonga." Mr Jenkin said it will also be interesting to see what other retailers make their mark in Wodonga's Junction Place. Journalist at The Border Mail.You can contact me at madilyn.mckinley@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Journalist at The Border Mail.You can contact me at madilyn.mckinley@austcommunitymedia.com.au. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. 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DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementPresident-elect Donald Trump on Friday offered a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, his embattled choice to lead the Defense Department, whose confirmation by the Senate is in doubt as he faces questions over allegations of excessive drinking, sexual assault and his views on women in combat. Hegseth, a former Fox News Host, Army National Guard major and combat veteran, spent much of the week on Capitol Hill trying to salvage his Cabinet nomination and privately reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead Trump’s Pentagon. “Pete Hegseth is doing very well,” Trump posted on his social media site. “He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense." The president added that "Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” The pitched nomination battle over Hegseth is emerging as not only as a debate about the best person to lead the Pentagon, but an inflection point for a MAGA movement that appears to be relishing a public fight over its hardline push for a more masculine military and an end to the “woke-ism" of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Trump’s allies are forcefully rallying around the embattled Hegseth – the Heritage Foundation’s political arm is promising to spend $1 million to shore up his nomination – as he vows to stay in the fight, as long as the president-elect wants him to. “We’re going to earn those votes,” Hegseth said on Capitol Hill this week. “As long as Donald Trump wants me in this fight, I’m going to be standing right here.” The effort quickly become a test of Trump’s clout and of how far loyalty for the president-elect goes with Republican senators who have concerns about his nominees. Two of Trump's other choices have stepped aside as they faced intense scrutiny: former congressman Matt Gaetz, his first choice for attorney general; and Chad Chronister, a Florida sheriff who was Trump’s first choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration. The president's son Donald J. Trump Jr, also made a show of support for Hegseth on Friday, part of a full-court MAGA press. “If you’re a GOP Senator who voted for Lloyd Austin, but criticize @PeteHegseth, then maybe you’re in the wrong political party!” he wrote on X. referring to Biden's defense secretary. Hegseth has promised not to drink on the job and told lawmakers he never engaged in sexual misconduct, even as his professional views on female troops have also come under intensifying scrutiny. He said as recently as last month that women “straight up” should not serve in combat. He picked up one important endorsement from Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, whose support was seen as a potentially powerful counterweight to the cooler reception Hegseth had received from Sen. Joni Ernst, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel. “Huge. Thanks to Katie for her leadership,” Vice President-elect JD Vance posted on social media. Ernst, who is also a sexual assault survivor, stopped short of an endorsement after her meeting with Hegseth this week. She said she appreciates his military service and they “had a frank and thorough conversation.” On Friday, Trump put out the statement in response to coverage saying he had lost faith in Hegseth, according to a person familiar with his thinking who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. The president-elect and his team have been pleased to see Hegseth putting up a fight and his performance this week reiterates why he was chosen, the person said. They believe he can still be confirmed. If Hegseth goes down, Trump's team believes the defeat would empower others to spread what they cast as “vicious lies” against every candidate Trump chooses. Still, Trump's transition team has been looking at potential replacements if Hegseth's nomination cannot move forward, including former presidential rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis plans to attend the Army-Navy football game with Trump on Dec. 14, according to a person familiar with the Florida governor’s plans who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss them before a public announcement. And DeSantis and Trump had spoken about the defense secretary post when they saw each other Tuesday at a memorial service for sheriff deputies in West Palm Beach, Florida, according people familiar with the matter who said Trump was interested in DeSantis for the post, and the governor was receptive. At the same time, DeSantis also is poised to select a replacement for the expected Senate vacancy to be created by Marco Rubio becoming secretary of state, and Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump is seen as the preferred choice by those in Trump’s orbit. Despite a weeklong push of private Capitol Hill meetings, Hegseth is facing resistance from senators as reports have emerged about his past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. The New Yorker cited what it described as a whistleblower report and other documents about his time leading a veterans advocacy group, Concerned Veterans for America, that alleged multiple incidents of alcohol intoxication at work events, inappropriate behavior around female staffers and financial mismanagement. The New York Times obtained an email from his mother Penelope from 2018, in which she confronted him about mistreating women after he impregnated his current wife while he was married to his second wife. She went on “Fox & Friends” this week to defend her son. Trump ally Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said senators are judging “Pete for who he is today.” In many ways the increasingly pitched battle resembles the political and culture wars that exploded over Trump’s pick of Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court during his first term at the White House. Kavanaugh had also faced allegations of sexual assault that he strenuously denied, but Republicans rallied to his side and turned a tide of opposition into a more sympathetic view of the Supreme Court nominee as the victim of a liberal-led smear campaign. He eventually won confirmation. While Hegseth was still fighting for votes in the Senate, he did appear to make incremental progress with some Republicans who had expressed concerns about the reports of his drinking, in particular. “I’m not going to make any decision regarding Pete Hegseth’s nomination based on anonymous sources,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer said of the allegations against Hegseth, “I have no reason to doubt him any more than believe somebody else.” Still, Cramer indicated he could still change his mind. A background check “will be informative.” Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said after meeting with Hegseth that he wanted to see how he does in a hearing but “he went a long way” toward getting his support. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price in New York, Adriana Gomez Licon in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Mary Clare Jalonick, Kevin Freking and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.Why Walmart, Amazon Stock Could Stumble This Holiday Season
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Bathinda: Punjab’s area under cotton cultivation has declined sharply over the last decade, driven by erratic rainfall, extreme temperatures during the growing season, pest infestations, and a shift to more lucrative crops. Union minister of state for textiles Pabitra Margherita highlighted these challenges in a written response to Punjab MP Raghav Chadha in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. To address these issues, the agriculture and farmers’ welfare department has been implementing the Cotton Development Programme under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) since the financial year 2014-15. This is to enhance the production and productivity of cotton across its 15 major growing states, including Punjab. Increasing minimum support price (MSP) is the first measure, followed by timely water supply from canals, financial support during the pink bollworm infestations, and subsidies on seeds. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducted training, field visits, and demonstrations to disseminate best practices for managing pests and diseases. Under the Crop Diversification Programme for the year 2024-25, it conducted 6,000 demonstrations to promote sustainable farming practices . The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) plays a key role in stabilizing cotton prices by procuring crops at MSP when market prices fall below the threshold. However, the volume of procurement has declined significantly in recent years, from 3.56 lakh bales procured in 2019-20 to only 38,000 bales procured in 2023-24. Chadha attributed the decade-long decline in Punjab’s cotton crop to climatic challenges, pest infestations, and soil degradation. He asked the central govt about its plans to provide targeted technological and financial support to address these challenges and promote sustainable cotton farming in the region. Minister Margherita acknowledged the drop and outlined initiatives to aid farmers, including higher MSP and financial relief. We also published the following articles recently Cotton farmers awaiting higher prices amid hopes from new govt Maharashtra's cotton farmers are holding onto their harvest, anticipating a bonus payout from the newly elected government, mirroring hopes raised by pre-election promises for soybean MSP hikes. Despite current private market rates slightly below the MSP of 7,521 per quintal, farmers expect prices to reach 8,000. Lower national yield and rising global rates further fuel this optimism. ICAR nod for 2 cotton research centres in T, ops begins next FY Telangana's cotton research gets a boost with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) approving two new All India Coordinated Research Project Centres. Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) successfully advocated for these centers after a decade of limited national research involvement. Modi government to purchase all farm produce at MSP, assures agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Rajya Sabha Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured Parliament that the Modi government is committed to procuring all farm produce at minimum support prices (MSP). He emphasized the government's policy of calculating MSP with a 50% profit margin over production costs, contrasting it with previous administrations. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
Love of booze begins before birth, study claims — here’s how to know you’re predisposed to heavy drinkingThe AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Sira Thienou scored 16 points with six rebounds, five assists and four steals and No. 18 Mississippi coasted to an 89-24 win over Alabama State on Saturday. Starr Jacobs and Christeen Iwuala both added 12 points and Kennedy Todd-Williams had 11 for the Rebels (5-2), who had a breather after losing to No. 2 UConn by 13 in the Bahamas. Kaitlyn Bryant had seven points to lead the Hornets (2-5), who shot 19% with 33 turnovers and were outrebounded 43-25. Alabama State was 1 of 8 with 11 turnovers in the first quarter, falling behind 24-4. The Hornets were 2 of 11 with seven giveaways in the second quarter when they were outscored 33-6 to trail 57-10 at the half. The Rebels shot 58% with 28 points off turnovers. They scored the first 16 points of the game and the first 24 points of the second quarter. Ole Miss had the last five points of the third quarter and the first seven of the fourth to get the lead to 82-22. The Hornets went 1 of 10 in the final 10 minutes with 10 turnovers. It was Mississippi’s third win against teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference with one more to play. The Rebels play at NC State on Thursday in the SEC/ACC Challenge. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball
NoneThe utopian dream of solar-powered motoring might not be so distant, as Mercedes-Benz recently opened the doors to some of its most forward-thinking engineering laboratories – and it turns out photovoltaic surfaces are very much on the agenda. During a number of workshops in its home city of Stuttgart, Germany, Mercedes-Benz lifted the lid on how it has been working on a new kind of solar surface that could generate enough electricity for folks in sunnier climates to cover their daily commuting requirements. According to the German marque, the ‘solar modules’ measure just five micrometers in thickness – significantly thinner than a human hair – and weigh just 50 grams per square meter. They can be applied to almost any substrate, with applications of future vehicles likely coming in the form of a "wafer-thin layer of paste" that will cover most of the body work. Mercedes-Benz has past experience with solar panels and the impact they can have on the electric range of EVs, as the company’s record-breaking (the rolling lab that drove more than 620 miles on a single charge) used a small solar panel on the roof that added around 30km (18 miles) of additional range during one of its long distance record attempts. But the breakthrough in photovoltaic surface treatments means much more of a vehicle could be covered, equating to a much greater increase in additional EV mileage. No giant solar panels needed Taking a fairly standard mid-sized SUV like the marque's EQS as an example, Mercedes engineers claim the 11 square meter surface area and the 20% solar efficiencies of the technology would be enough to generate around 7,400-miles of motoring per year in somewhere sunny, like Los Angeles. Nanoparticle-based paint would also allow 94% of the sun's energy to pass through to the solar coating, meaning future EVs won't necessarily have to look like giant solar panels. Studying the daily driving habits of EV owners in Stuttgart, Germany, those close to the project found they cover an average of 52 kilometers (around 32 miles) a day. Around 62% of this distance would be covered using solar energy, the company says, despite the often poor weather conditions. Again, if you live somewhere with plenty of excess sunshine, the 'always-on' nature of a photovoltaic surface means the vehicle could effectively be charging, even when parked. As a result, LA owners could cover 100% of their driving distance on average by solar energy. Any surplus achieved could be fed directly into the home network via bidirectional charging, in theory. Braking down inefficiencies Alongside pondering the state of future cities and speeding up AI decisions with neuromorphic computing, Mercedes-Benz also touched on the fact that it is also working on an EV braking system that removes the need for standard discs, drums and pads. Effectively ridding the world of harmful particles emitted in the form of brake dust, Mercedes’ innovation is integrated into the electric drive unit at the front or rear axle, negating the need for in-wheel brakes. Not only would this be subject to minimal wear and take up less space, it would also mean the company could look at much lighter wheel and tyre combinations, reducing the overall mass of an EV, as well as exploring fully-enclosed rims for optimized aerodynamics, as openings for brake cooling would no longer be required. Plus, the company's research into electrical inverter systems could see the integration of micro-converters directly at battery-cell level, which would allow for greater control over individual cells. It is complicated stuff, but it would result in more efficient battery performance, increased the longevity of battery pack lifespans and greater freedom when it comes to packaging – allowing engineers to use varying cell designs throughout the vehicle. All of these advancements are still a long way from making production, but it is good to see Mercedes-Benz busy exploring innovations that offer its future customers real-world value.
Mike Thompson Slammin' Sports [email protected] Visit us on social media: Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.ONE of the UK's oldest comic book shops has announced its huge closure sale as an "epic" 43 years of business comes to an end. Mega City Comics was set up by university student Martin Kravetz in 1981. 2 Martin Kravetz has run Mega City Comic for all his adult life 2 The shop is based in Camden, London Martin is retiring after 43 years in business, 37 of which were in the same Camden-based shop. The final clearance sale will drop in early January but customers will need to be quick to bag the best bargains, an online statement revealed. Dealers, bulk buyers and re-sellers have also been advised to email in advance if they are interested in bulk orders of 1,000 to 10,000 items. The store hoped to pass on the mantle to a new owner but unfortunately couldn't find one. read more in store closings SHUTTERS DOWN Cinema chain with more than 100 UK branches suddenly closes town centre site LAST ORDERS Heartbroken MasterChef star tells of 'lost dream' after shutting top restaurant Despite this, the team at Magic City Comic say they are "happy to discuss" funding with potential last-minute buyers. In fact, at least one other comic book retailer in London has shown interest in the store, Bleeding Cool reports. Authors, editors and artists such as Alan Moore, Jamie Hewlett, Pat Mills, Simon Bisley, Brain Bolland, Gilbert Shelton, Craig Thompson and Matt Wagner have all made guest appearances. And Martin even taught The Walking Dead's Andrew Lincoln some lessons about the character he would end up playing - Rick Grimes. Most read in Money CAMERA, ACTION Much-loved Glasgow cinema to reopen as music venue & community hub next year ISLE SAY Stunning home with panoramic views for sale for just £135k - but there's a catch FRESH FACE First look inside MAC store opening this week - plus all the freebies on offer HO HO NO! ‘Rip off’ ride at popular Scots Christmas market slammed by furious parents With a new owner, the store could even hope to regain its King Of Camden honour of excellence in local retailing title, which it first earned in 2010. 8 major London parks and Winter Wonderland closed in ’emergency’ as Storm Bert safety fears mount Posting to social media the store said: "The end of an era! "Mega City Comics was established in 1981, and has been operating from our shop in Camden Town since 1987. "After 43 years (and 37 years in the same shop), Martin, the owner, is taking retirement, and the shop will be closing at the end of Jan 2025. "We had originally hoped to pass on the mantle to a new owner, but a suitable candidate has unfortunately, not been forthcoming (although do read to the end!). "It has been a joyous ride (for Martin, all of his adult life), and we have had some great staff and some great customers (a crazy number who have been here pretty much from the start, and stuck with us throughout). "So it is a bitter sweet event to be closing the doors. "The mail-order/standing order service will be winding up at the end of the year, and final parcels will be going out no later than early Jan 25. "We are not quite finished yet, and we will be going out with an upbeat bang! So if you can make it into the shop over the next two months, there will be some once-in-a-lifetime deals to be had. "The back room back issue stores are being opened up, and the shop is bursting to the seams with comic goodness, ranging all the way back to 1940's Golden Age, through classic Silver and Bronze, and right up to modern day books. "We have always offered up a huge range, but for the final run, there is more on show and available than ever before! "Fine tune those wants lists, raid the piggy bank, and head on in and fill your boots . "The final clearance sale will be launched in early Jan, but we recommend you get in earlier than that, and get your choice pick of everything we have, as there are deals to be had NOW and negotiations to be made! Read more on the Scottish Sun 'DISAPPOINTED' Harry Potter steam train blasted by passengers who 'dreaded' return journey COLD BEERS SPFL side spotted going for a PINT after their bus got stuck in the snow "Dealers, bulk buyers and re-sellers – we will have some clearance offers on excess stock available soon – drop us an email if interested in taking 1,000 plus to 10,000 items. "Wholesale inquiries are by invitation only – you can't just drop in unannounced – but we welcome you registering any interest now."
WASHINGTON — A tax break for millionaires, and almost everyone else. An end to the COVID-19-era government subsidies that some Americans have used to purchase health insurance. Limits to food stamps, including for women and children, and other safety net programs. Rollbacks to Biden-era green energy programs. Mass deportations. Government job cuts to ''drain the swamp.'' Having won the election and sweeping to power, Republicans are planning an ambitious 100-day agenda with President-elect Donald Trump in the White House and GOP lawmakers in a congressional majority to accomplish their policy goals. Atop the list is the plan to renew some $4 trillion in expiring GOP tax cuts, a signature domestic achievement of Trump's first term and an issue that may define his return to the White House. ''What we're focused on right now is being ready, Day 1,'' said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., after meeting recently with GOP colleagues to map out the road ahead. The policies emerging will revive long-running debates about America's priorities, its gaping income inequities and the proper size and scope of its government, especially in the face of mounting federal deficits now approaching $2 trillion a year. The discussions will test whether Trump and his Republican allies can achieve the kinds of real-world outcomes wanted, needed or supported when voters gave the party control of Congress and the White House. ''The past is really prologue here,'' said Lindsay Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, recalling the 2017 tax debate. Trump's first term became defined by those tax cuts, which were approved by Republicans in Congress and signed into law only after their initial campaign promise to ''repeal and replace'' Democratic President Barack Obama's health care law sputtered, failing with the famous thumbs-down vote by then-Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. The GOP majority in Congress quickly pivoted to tax cuts, assembling and approving the multitrillion-dollar package by year's end. In the time since Trump signed those cuts into law, the big benefits have accrued to higher-income households. The top 1 percent — those making nearly $1 million and above — received about a $60,000 income tax cut, while those with lower incomes got as little as a few hundred dollars, according to the Tax Policy Center and other groups. Some people ended up paying about the same. ''The big economic story in the U.S. is soaring income inequality,'' said Owens. ''And that is actually, interestingly, a tax story.'' In preparation for Trump's return, Republicans in Congress have been meeting privately for months and with the president-elect to go over proposals to extend and enhance those tax breaks, some of which would otherwise expire in 2025. That means keeping in place various tax brackets and a standardized deduction for individual earners, along with the existing rates for so-called pass-through entities such as law firms, doctors' offices or businesses that take their earnings as individual income. Typically, the price tag for the tax cuts would be prohibitive. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that keeping the expiring provisions in place would add some $4 trillion to deficits over a decade. Adding to that, Trump wants to include his own priorities in the tax package, including lowering the corporate rate, now at 21% from the 2017 law, to 15%, and doing away with individual taxes on tips and overtime pay. But Avik Roy, president of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, said blaming the tax cuts for the nation's income inequality is ''just nonsense'' because tax filers up and down the income ladder benefited. He instead points to other factors, including the Federal Reserve's historically low interest rates that enable borrowing, including for the wealthy, on the cheap. ''Americans don't care if Elon Musk is rich,'' Roy said. ''What they care about is, what are you doing to make their lives better?'' Typically, lawmakers want the cost of a policy change to be offset by budget revenue or reductions elsewhere. But in this case, there's almost no agreed-upon revenue raisers or spending cuts in the annual $6 trillion budget that could cover such a whopping price tag. Instead, some Republicans have argued that the tax breaks will pay for themselves, with the trickle-down revenue from potential economic growth. Trump's tariffs floated this past week could provide another source of offsetting revenue. Some Republicans argue there's precedent for simply extending the tax cuts without offsetting the costs because they are not new changes but existing federal policy. ''If you're just extending current law, we're not raising taxes or lowering taxes," said Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, the incoming chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, on Fox News. He said the criticism that tax cuts would add to the deficit is ''ridiculous.'' There is a difference between taxes and spending, he said, "and we just have to get that message out to America.'' At the same time, the new Congress will also be considering spending reductions, particularly to food stamps and health care programs, goals long sought by conservatives as part of the annual appropriations process. One cut is almost certain to fall on the COVID-19-era subsidy that helps defray the cost of health insurance for people who buy their own policies via the Affordable Care Act exchange. The extra health care subsidies were extended through 2025 in Democratic President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, which also includes various green energy tax breaks that Republicans want to roll back. The House Democratic leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, scoffed at the Republican claim that they've won ''some big, massive mandate'' — when in fact, the House Democrats and Republicans essentially fought to a draw in the November election, with the GOP eking out a narrow majority. ''This notion about some mandate to make massive, far-right extreme policy changes, it doesn't exist — it doesn't exist,'' Jeffries said. Republicans are planning to use a budgetary process, called reconciliation, that allows majority passage in Congress, essentially along party lines, without the threat of a filibuster in the Senate that can stall out a bill's advance unless 60 of the 100 senators agree. It's the same process Democrats have used when they had the power in Washington to approve the Inflation Reduction Act and Obama's health care law over GOP objections. Republicans have been here before with Trump and control of Congress, which is no guarantee they will be able to accomplish their goals, particularly in the face of resistance from Democrats. Still, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who has been working closely with Trump on the agenda, has promised a ''breakneck'' pace in the first 100 days ''because we have a lot to fix.'' ___ The story has been corrected to reflect that Lindsay Owens of the Groundwork Collaborative spoke of ‘income inequality,' not ‘income equality.'Piemonte Holding launches an asset management company with an initial capital raise of R$1 billion.
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Special counsel moves to abandon election interference and classified documents cases against TrumpThe Irish rugby team may have had a hard fought match behind them, but they certainly still had the energy to celebrate with their loved ones after the game. Ireland clinched a win over Australia in tonight's IRFU 150 Test Match at the Aviva Stadium, ending the game with a 22-19 victory. The team celebrated with their families after the game, with many of their joined by their children after the match came to a close. READ MORE: Brian O'Driscoll & Johnny Sexton's kids are on the same rugby team: 'We're on the sideline together' READ MORE: Simon Zebo worries about his kids playing rugby and doesn't want them to follow in his footsteps Cian Healy shared some sweet on pitch moments with his children Beau and Russell, with Beau running up and sharing a hug with his father on the grass. Meanwhile, Jamison Gibson-Park left the pitch with his daughter Isabella and son Jai. Ireland's Peter O'Mahony celebrated with a cheer as he and his son Theo raised their arms in victory as they posed for a snapshot. RSVP Live daily newsletter Solus embed
Chandigarh: In a much-awaited development regarding the municipal elections in Haryana, the state govt has announced that it would release the schedule for the civic body elections before Jan 4, 2025, with the polls to be completed by Feb 4, 2025. As per the undertaking submitted by the Haryana govt before the Punjab and Haryana high court, the election programme for conducting the fresh elections to new municipalities in the state shall be positively announced within one month. “The entire exercise ultimately resulting in the announcement of results, shall be completed within one month subsequent thereto,” the state informed the HC. The undertaking was given by the state on Wednesday in response to a petition, which sought directions to conduct the MC elections. With this, all the pending MC polls in the state are expected to be completed by Feb 4, 2025. While allowing the petitioner to withdraw the petition in view of the state’s undertaking, the HC has made it clear that “the issues raised in the instant petition are kept alive for being re-raised and determined at any appropriate stage”. The division bench comprising Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Sudeepti Sharma passed these orders while hearing a petition filed on the issue regarding delay in holding the MC polls in the state. Importantly, a majority of municipal elections, including those for the MCs of Gurgaon, Karnal, Hisar, Faridabad, Rohtak, and Yamunanagar, have been pending in the state for a long time. The tenure of these municipal corporations had come to an end a long time ago. The delay in these elections has led to massive problems, including irregular collection of garbage, overflowing of sewerage, water shortage and damaged local roads. The elections to the MC of Gurgaon (MCG) were last held in 2017, and the tenure of the councillors and the mayor had come to an end in 2022. Similarly, the elections for the MCs of Karnal, Hisar, Faridabad, Rohtak and Yamunanagar had come to an end in Jan this year. The counsel for the petitioner in this case, advocate Raman B Garg, informed that the rules stipulate that fresh elections should be held within six months, but they were delayed because the delimitation exercise could not be completed. Garg added that if the delimitation is not completed, the elections should be held based on the existing delimitation. However, officials from the Haryana urban local bodies department argued that the election of the MCs could not be conducted because the delimitation had not been carried out and approved by the state. Delimitation is a process of reorganisation of wards based on population, social composition and geographical area, and is undertaken ahead of the elections to ensure fair representation of different sections of society. Sources in the local bodies department informed that initially, the department may release the scheduled for around 42 municipalities, including 34 municipal council/committees and eight corporations. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .AES Announces 2% Increase in Quarterly DividendI'M A Celebrity fans have shared the same complaint about GK Barry - having spotted an issue with Bushtucker Trials. Each year, famous faces in the ITV show do gruelling challenges to win food for camp. Advertisement 4 I'm A Celebrity viewers have shared the same complaint about GK Barry Credit: Eroteme 4 The social media star is in the latter stages of this year's series Credit: Eroteme 4 Viewers have branded GK as "lazy" - after pointing out a Bushtucker Trial issue Credit: Eroteme One of this year's stars is GK Barry - real name Grace Keeling - although fans aren't currently impressed with her. In the latter stages, campmates can volunteer to do the daily trials to win food. Viewers have branded GK Barry as "lazy" for not putting herself forward. Friday's episode saw Reverend Richard Coles and Coleen Rooney volunteer for the trial -- named Dreaded Dregs. Advertisement Read more on I'm A Celeb bad timing IAC's GK Barry accidentally announces Richard Coles' partner has 'passed on' lovebirds I’m a Celeb’s GK Barry sends sweet message to girlfriend Ella Rutherford One wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "GK is getting lazy tbh she has never volunteered for a trial. "She's hilarious with Richard but other than that she's just camp shef and not a great one." Another added: "Why hasn't GK offered to do a trial?" A third penned: "Seems GK hasn't done a trial in ages?? Surely they should take it in turns." Advertisement Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 GAGGING WAG Watch I'm A Celeb's Coleen almost VOMIT as she drinks crocodile anus Exclusive PRICE-LESS We had I’m A Celeb’s only REAL romance...I'm sad we don’t speak, says Katie Price ROONEY SWEET Wayne Rooney's sweet tribute to wife Coleen as he battles to save football job Exclusive roo-union Coleen Rooney set for emotional I'm A Celeb reunion with youngest sons TONIGHT While a fourth chimed in: "Reverend Richard always offers to do a trial even though he's the oldest while Alan has put himself forward for ONE and GK Barry doesn't put herself forward.... "They're not showing enough effort to make the top 4 right now." Yet another remarked: "Please god why is GK Barry still in there? I'm A Celeb's GK Barry reveals she bought a Porsche after getting rich overnight "She's as funny as politics & hasn't done a trial since her zero stars debacle." Advertisement Early in the series, GK teamed up with Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough in a trial called Drown in the Dumps. I'm A Celebrity 2024 i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher. Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth." Upon their arrival, Ant and Dec explained how one of them needed to go into a tank at the bottom with the other at the top. Unfortunately, they didn't manage to get a single star - returning to camp empty-handed as a result. Advertisement Read more on the Scottish Sun DARR-ARGH! Weather maps reveal exact date Storm Darragh to hit Scots with rain, wind & SNOW 'SICK BEYOND BELIEF' Cops probe footage 'showing Scots woman having sex with XL Bully dog' Other than GK, Reverend Richard Coles , Coleen Rooney, Alan Halsall, Oti Mabuse and Danny Jones also remain in camp. I'm A Celeb continues on ITV1 and ITVX. 4 GK with campmates Barry McGuigan, Reverend Richard Coles and Alan Halsall Credit: Eroteme