New York's 'Mom Squad' urges Hochul to sign child care bills into law
New e-libraries to provide edu tools to Haryana cops’ families
NoneSports on TV for Thursday, Dec. 26
Newcastle United stumbled to a Monday night defeat against West Ham at St James' Park after some poor defending. West Ham went ahead on 10 minutes when Emerson Palmieri's corner was whipped in and Tomas Soucek was afforded a free header to steer it home near the penalty spot. The Hammers would strengthen their grip two minutes later as Jarrod Bowen slipped in Aaron Wan-Bissaka before the ex-Man United man was allowed to glide his way into the box before drilling the ball home to make it 2-0. Newcastle created very little in the first half and struggled in attack after the break. Unfortunately, they never looked like staging a dramatic comeback. Here's how the Newcastle stars rated overall: Nick Pope 6 Never in danger of a clean sheet with such slack defending in front of him. Tino Livramento 6 A real dip in performance levels despite a bright start. Fabian Schar 6 Not at fault for the opener but rooted to the spot on the second. Lloyd Kelly 5 Switched off for the opener and did not take what was a big opportunity. Dan Burn will walk straight back into the team after his ban. Lewis Hall 6 Always up against it with Jarrod Bowen on the scene. Not his worst game, but far from his best. Sean Longstaff 5 Lost possession a couple of times with ruthless Howe taking him off before the hour mark for Sandro Tonali. Caught ball watching as West Ham sliced through for the second goal. Had 32 touches in all and sent one header on target in the first half. Bruno Guimaraes 5 A real struggle for Brazil star who eventually limped off with an injury. Could easily have been subbed after a poor show by his standards. Joe Willock 6 Never seemed to get over first half knock. One effort flew wide. Anthony Gordon 6 Offered some bite at times but Howe proved nobody is guaranteed to stay on the field with his substitution. Joelinton 6 Started well enough but faded. Another to endure the hook. Alexander Isak 5 The night was set up for him but he lacked impact. Disappeared soon after seeing first half strike ruled offside. Subs Harvey Barnes 5 (for Willock 46) His arrival did not have the desired effect. Did not manage a shot and had just one accurate cross. Sandro Tonali 5 (for Longstaff 57) Not much impact. Callum Wilson 5 (for Gordon 68) Just four touches but was handed the impossible task really. Had a valid penalty shout. Jacob Murphy 4 (for Joelinton 68) No impact. Kieran Trippier (for Bruno 84) *Subs must play 15 minutes to gain a mark
Smartee Perkenalkan Solusi "Facial Convexity" dan "Facial Deviation" di VietnamWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden kicked off his final holiday season at the White House on Monday by issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in southern Minnesota. Biden welcomed 2,500 guests to the South Lawn under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom” and sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency after a half-century in Washington power circles. “It’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful,” Biden said, taking note of his impending departure on Jan. 20, 2025. That's when power will transfer to Republican President-elect Donald Trump, the man Biden defeated four years ago and was battling again until he was pressured to bow out of the race amid concerns about his age and viability. Biden is 82. Until Inauguration Day, the president and first lady Jill Biden will continue a busy run of festivities that will double as their long goodbye. The White House schedule in December is replete with holiday parties for various constituencies, from West Wing staff to members of Congress and the White House press corps. Biden relished the brief ceremony with the pardoned turkeys, named for the official flower of the president's home state of Delaware. “The peach pie in my state is one of my favorites,” he said during remarks that were occasionally interrupted by Peach gobbling atop the table to Biden's right. “Peach is making a last-minute plea,” Biden said at one point, drawing laughter from an overflow crowd that included Cabinet members, White House staff and their families, and students from 4H programs and Future Farmers of America chapters. Biden introduced Peach as a bird who “lives by the motto, ‘Keep calm and gobble on.’” Blossom, the president said, has a different motto: “No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.” Peach and Blossom came from the farm of John Zimmerman, near the southern Minnesota city of Northfield. Zimmerman, who has raised about 4 million turkeys, is president of the National Turkey Federation, the group that has gifted U.S. presidents Thanksgiving turkeys since the Truman administration after World War II. President Harry Truman, however, preferred to eat the birds. Official pardon ceremonies did not become an annual White House tradition until the administration of President George H.W. Bush in 1989. With their presidential reprieve, Peach and Blossom will live out their days at Farmamerica, an agriculture interpretative center near Waseca in southern Minnesota. The center's aim is to promote agriculture and educate future farmers and others about agriculture in America. Separately Monday, first lady Jill Biden received the official White House Christmas tree that will be decorated and put on display in the Blue Room. The 18.5 foot (5.64 meters) Fraser fir came from a farm in an area of western North Carolina that recently was devastated by Hurricane Helene . Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm lost thousands of trees in the storm “but this one remained standing and they named it ‘Tremendous’ for the extraordinary hope that it represents,” Jill Biden said at the event. The Bidens were also traveling to New York City on Monday for an evening “Friendsgiving” event at a Coast Guard station on Staten Island. Biden began his valedictory calendar Friday night with a gala for hundreds of his friends, supporters and staff members who gathered in a pavilion erected on the South Lawn, with a view out to the Lincoln Memorial. Cabinet secretaries, Democratic donors and his longest-serving staff members came together to hear from the president and pay tribute, with no evidence that Biden was effectively forced from the Democratic ticket this summer and watched Vice President Kamala Harris suffer defeat on Nov. 5. “I’m so proud that we’ve done all of this with a deep belief in the core values of America,” said Biden, sporting a tuxedo for the black-tie event. Setting aside his criticisms of Trump as a fundamental threat to democracy, Biden added his characteristic national cheerleading: “I fully believe that America is better positioned to lead the world today than at any point in my 50 years of public service.” The first lady toasted her husband with a nod to his 2020 campaign promise to “restore the soul of the nation,” in Trump’s aftermath. With the results on Election Day, however, Biden’s four years now become sandwiched in the middle of an era dominated by Trump's presence on the national stage and in the White House. Even as the first couple avoided the context surrounding the president's coming exit, those political realities were nonetheless apparent, as younger Democrats like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore , Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Biden's Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg not only raised their glasses to the president but held forth with many attendees who could remain in the party's power circles in the 2028 election cycle and beyond. ___ Associated Press writer Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.
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The Vancouver Public Schools’ board decided earlier this month to put a six-year replacement levy for technology, safety and capital projects on the Feb. 11 special election ballot. The levy requires a simple majority to pass. It would go into effect in January 2026 to replace the current technology capital levy, which expires Dec. 31, 2025, according to a statement from the district. As a capital project fund levy, the fund can only be used for facilities, equipment and technology. It would pay for: The expected levy rates increase each year, except from 2028 to 2031, and range from 29 cents to 38 cents per $1,000 assessed property value during the six-year term. Property owners paid 28 cents per $1,000 this year for the existing technology levy and $3.36 overall for Vancouver schools. The school district’s overall tax rates are expected to decrease after 2026, eventually dropping to a total of $3.26 per $1,000 in 2028.
Thursday Night Football: DT Gervon Dexter active for Bears vs. SeahawksBALTIMORE (AP) — Nendah Tarke's 24 points helped Towson defeat Morgan State 64-60 on Sunday night. Tarke added seven rebounds for the Tigers (4-2). Tomiwa Sulaiman scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. Christian May scored nine. The Bears (3-5) were led in scoring by Wynston Tabbs with 19 points. Kameron Hobbs had 13 points and Ahmarie Simpkins finished with nine points, three steals and two blocks. Towson went into halftime leading Morgan State 35-26. Tarke scored 14 points in the half. Towson used a 7-0 run in the second half to build an 11-point lead at 58-47 with 5:51 left in the half before finishing off the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
The Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Kwara), has addressed misconceptions surrounding the four Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly. In a statement released on Wednesday to mark the Christmas celebration, Senator Bamidele dismissed claims about the derivation model in the Bills as “utterly incorrect and unfounded.” “The proposed tax reform bills, described as executive legislation, include a review of derivations to states. Under the new model, Kano State’s share would rise from 0.89 per cent to 6.17 per cent, while Zamfara State’s allocation would increase from 0.05 per cent to 1.21 per cent. “However, Lagos State, which currently receives 80.26 per cent, would see a significant reduction to 15.28 per cent, representing an 81 per cent decrease. Rivers State’s share would also drop from 7.74 per cent to 4.6 per cent, marking a 41 per cent reduction,” he stated. Additionally, the Bills propose tax exemptions for employees earning ₦1,000,000 annually (₦83,000 monthly), as well as for start-ups, shared services, and technologically-driven businesses. They also recommend zero VAT on essential services and consumables. The reform Bills have sparked debates, particularly from northern governors, who have labelled them ‘anti-North’. Similarly, members of the National Assembly from across the country have expressed divergent views on the proposed VAT sharing formula in the proposed legislation. LEADERSHIP reports that the National Economic Council (NEC), led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, had earlier urged President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the Bills for further consultation. However, the President insisted that all concerns be addressed within the ongoing legislative process on the Bills. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State recently criticised the reforms, claiming they would disproportionately benefit Lagos State, the President’s home state. However, Senator Bamidele emphasised that the reforms aimed to foster an environment conducive to business, investment, and economic growth. “We are committed to building an environment where businesses can operate seamlessly; where investors are confident, and where Nigerians can thrive without undue burdens,” he said. He noted that the reforms, including the Tax Reform Bills, National Minimum Wage Act, and Investment and Securities Act, were designed to reverse troubling economic indicators. He reassured Nigerians that the reforms were guided by principles of equity, fairness, and justice. “Contrary to misconceptions, the Tax Reform Bills exempt all employees earning ₦1,000,000 annually, support start-ups and technological services, and propose zero VAT on essential goods and services,” he clarified. Addressing the Christmas season, the Senate Leader highlighted the importance of gratitude, reflection, and compassion. He urged Nigerians to remember the needy, reflect on Christ’s mission, and pray for the country’s economic recovery, political stability, and unity. “As we celebrate, let us recommit to the development of our nation. This is not the time to search for greener pastures abroad but to join hands to rebuild and rebrand our homeland,” he stated. President Tinubu, during his recent Presidential Media Chat, affirmed his commitment to reforming Nigeria’s tax system, stressing that “tax amendments require negotiation and consensus.” He reassured Nigerians that while the reforms may be challenging, they were necessary to secure the nation’s future. Senator Bamidele concluded his message with warm wishes for the festive season: “With all my heart, I wish you all happy celebrations in this season of deep reflection. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.”NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Parsons, one of corporate America's most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, died Thursday. He was 76. Parsons, who died at his Manhattan home, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015 and cited “unanticipated complications” from the disease for cutting back on work a few years later. The financial services company Lazard, where Parsons was a longtime board member, confirmed his death. The NBA, where Parsons was interim CEO of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014, was among organizations offering condolences. “Dick Parsons was a brilliant and transformational leader and a giant of the media industry who led with integrity and never shied away from a challenge,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. Parsons’ friend Ronald Lauder told The New York Times that the cause of death was cancer. Parsons stepped down Dec. 3 from the boards of Lazard and Lauder's company, Estée Lauder, citing health reasons. He had been on Estée Lauder’s board for 25 years. Parsons, a Brooklyn native who started college at 16, was named chairman of Citigroup in 2009, one month after leaving Time Warner Inc., where he helped restore the company’s stature following its much-maligned acquisition by internet provider America Online Inc. He steered Citigroup back to profit after financial turmoil from the subprime mortgage crisis, which upended the economy in 2007 and 2008. Parsons was named to the board of CBS in September 2018 but resigned a month later because of illness. Parsons said in a statement at the time that he was already dealing with multiple myeloma when he joined the board, but “unanticipated complications have created additional new challenges.” He said his doctors advised him to cut back on his commitments to ensure recovery. “Dick’s storied career embodied the finest traditions of American business leadership,” Lazard said in a statement. The company, where Parsons was a board member from 2012 until this month, praised his “unmistakable intelligence and his irresistible warmth.” “Dick was more than an iconic leader in Lazard’s history — he was a testament to how wisdom, warmth, and unwavering judgment could shape not just companies, but people’s lives,” the company said. “His legacy lives on in the countless leaders he counseled, the institutions he renewed, and the doors he opened for others.” Parsons was known as a skilled negotiator, a diplomat and a crisis manager. Although he was with Time Warner through its difficulties with AOL, he earned respect for the company and rebuilt its relations with Wall Street. He streamlined Time Warner’s structure, pared debt and sold Warner Music Group and a book publishing division. He also fended off a challenge from activist investor Carl Icahn in 2006 to break up the company and helped Time Warner reach settlements with investors and regulators over questionable accounting practices at AOL. Parsons joined Time Warner as president in 1995 after serving as chairman and chief executive of Dime Bancorp Inc., one of the largest U.S. thrift institutions. In 2001, after AOL used its fortunes as the leading provider of Internet access in the U.S. to buy Time Warner for $106 billion in stock, Parsons became co-chief operating officer with AOL executive Robert Pittman. In that role, he was in charge of the company’s content businesses, including movie studios and recorded music. He became CEO in 2002 with the retirement of Gerald Levin, one of the key architects of that merger. Parsons was named Time Warner chairman the following year, replacing AOL founder Steve Case, who had also championed the combination. The newly formed company’s Internet division quickly became a drag on Time Warner. The promised synergies between traditional and new media never materialized. AOL began seeing a reduction in subscribers in 2002 as Americans replaced dial-up connections with broadband from cable TV and phone companies. Parsons stepped down as CEO in 2007 and as chairman in 2008. A year later AOL split from Time Warner and began trading as a separate company, following years of struggles to reinvent itself as a business focused on advertising and content. Time Warner is now owned by AT&T Inc. A board member of Citigroup and its predecessor, Citibank, since 1996, Parsons was named chairman in 2009 at a time of turmoil for the financial institution. Citigroup had suffered five straight quarters of losses and received $45 billion in government aid. Its board had been criticized for allowing the bank to invest so heavily in the risky housing market. Citigroup returned to profit under Parsons, starting in 2010, and would not have a quarterly loss again until the fourth quarter of 2017. Parsons retired from that job in 2012. In 2014 he stepped in as interim CEO of the Clippers until Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took over later that year. Parsons, a Republican, previously worked as a lawyer for Nelson Rockefeller, a former Republican governor of New York, and in Gerald Ford’s White House. Those early stints gave him grounding in politics and negotiations. He also was an economic adviser on President Barack Obama’s transition team. Parsons, who loved jazz and co-owned a Harlem jazz club, also served as Chairman of the Apollo Theater and the Jazz Foundation of America. And he held positions on the boards of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Parsons played basketball at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and received his law degree from Albany Law School in 1971. He is survived by his wife, Laura, and their family. This obituary was primarily written by the late Associated Press reporter Anick Jesdanun, who died in 2020 .
Google's US antitrust trial over online ad empire winds downA cereal switch-up is stirring up sweet — well, mostly salty — discussion. Post Consumer Brands confirmed to TODAY.com that it’s discontinuing its beloved Oreo O’s cereal and replacing it with something new: Oreo Puffs. > 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are It features chocolaty cereal puffs and mini marshmallows with the aim of creating a similar experience to dunking an Oreo cookie into a glass of milk. According to Post, Oreo Puffs are made with real Oreo cookie wafers — which are the cookies that sandwich the creme.. The new cereal will be available at retailers nationwide including Walmart and Target for an MSRP of $4.99. According to Post, Oreo Puffs are made with real Oreo cookie wafers — which are the cookies that sandwich the creme.. The new cereal will be available at retailers nationwide including Walmart and Target for an MSRP of $4.99. “With its introduction, OREO PUFFSTM cereal will replace OREO O’s® cereal on store shelves,” Post tells TODAY.com in an email. U.S. & World Bob Fernandez, 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor, dies peacefully at home 83 years after bombing Jay-Z rape accuser comes forward to NBC News, acknowledges inconsistencies in her allegations Oreo O’s was introduced to U.S. markets in 1997, stayed on shelves until 2007, and then was brought back in 2017 during a big wave of nostalgic marketing. And just like that ... it’s returned to the vault of cereals past. We’ll check back in about 10 years to see if it’s revived from its sugary slumber again. News of the swap has hit the crumb-filled corners of social media, with popular snack-spotting Instagram account Markie Devo posting about the new product and its predecessor. As usual, his comments section had thoughts. “They should’ve kept the rings but added marshmallows,” wrote one commenter. “Sooo coco puffs,” another said , referencing the General Mills-brand analog to the new cereal. “ya know some things just need to be left alone !!” wrote another, and one more added , “I’m tired of every cereal turning into puffs 😢.” Others were excited about the breakfast-basednews. “These sound amazing,” wrote one user, and another added , “Oh wow my kids would be all over this one!” “OREO Puffs Cereal is out now and will be REPLACING OREO O’s Cereal!” one more user wrote on a separate post about the cereal, adding they think the new cereal is an upgrade. “It’s disappointing whenever a beloved item becomes discontinued, but this is actually very exciting news for us because we believe marshmallows BELONG in OREO Cereal!” This story first appeared on TODAY.com . More from TODAY : Fortnite players will receive refunds for unwanted purchases. How to claim yours Savannah Guthrie reveals her family’s 2024 holiday card — with a surprise announcement Dad shares bittersweet video of when his 13-year-old confronted him about Santa: 'Oh my heart'
By MEAD GRUVER and AMY BETH HANSON, Associated Press A judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to continue competing in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship scheduled for later this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed by nine current players who are suing the Mountain West Conference to challenge the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Judge Crews referred to the athlete as an “alleged transgender” player in his ruling and noted that no defendant disputed that San Jose State rosters a transgender woman volleyball player. He said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting that the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a forfeit in league standings. He also said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 – making that the status quo. The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season’s awareness of her identity led to an uproar among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a political campaign year. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. San Jose State is seeded second. The judge’s order maintains the seedings and pairings for the tournament. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada’s players stated they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details. Crews served as a magistrate judge in Colorado’s U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as a federal judge in January of this year. Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Hanson from Helena, Montana.New Tourism Industry Research Shows How Researched Trips by Travellers Assist A Lot to Make A Successful TravelC$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945 TORONTO , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife has been notified of an unsolicited mini-tender offer made by New York Stock and Bond LLC (New York Stock and Bond) to purchase up to 50,000 Manulife common shares, or less than 0.003% of the common shares outstanding, at a price of USD$12.50 per share. Manulife is in no way associated with New York Stock and Bond and does not recommend or endorse acceptance of this unsolicited offer. Manulife cautions shareholders that the mini-tender offer has been made at a price below the current market price for Manulife shares. The offer represents a discount of approximately 60.76% and 60.80%, respectively, below the closing prices of Manulife common shares on the TSX and NYSE on November 27, 2024 , the last trading day before the mini-tender offer was commenced, and a discount of 61.43% and 61.42%, respectively, below the closing prices on the TSX and NYSE on December 6, 2024 . Mini-tender offers are designed to seek less than 5% of a company's outstanding shares, avoiding disclosure and procedural requirements applicable to most bids under Canadian and U.S. securities regulations. The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have expressed serious concerns about mini-tender offers, including the possibility that investors might tender to such offers without understanding the offer price relative to the actual market price of their securities. The SEC states that "bidders make mini-tender offers at below-market prices, hoping that they will catch investors off guard if the investors do not compare the offer price to the current market price." Shareholders should carefully review the New York Stock and Bond offer documents and current market price for Manulife shares, and consult their investment advisors regarding any offer they may receive and review with their advisors all options for their investment in Manulife shares. Manulife has stock transfer agents providing shareholder services in Canada , the United States , Hong Kong and the Philippines . These local agents provide services directly to our registered shareholders and can provide information on share account management, direct deposit of dividends, dividend reinvestment and share purchase plans. Please email manulifeinquiries@tmx.com for more information. Manulife requests that a copy of this news release be included in any distribution of materials relating to New York Stock and Bond's mini-tender offer for Manulife common shares. About Manulife Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada , we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada , Asia , and Europe , and primarily as John Hancock in the United States . Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2023, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 98,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 35 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto , New York , and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/manulife-cautions-investors-regarding-new-york-stock-and-bond-llc-offer-for-shares-302326646.html SOURCE Manulife Financial CorporationMISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Marcus Adams Jr.'s 19 points helped CSU Northridge defeat Denver 89-60 on Monday night. Adams also added 11 rebounds for the Matadors (5-1). Keonte Jones added 17 points while shooting 4 of 6 from the field and 8 for 8 from the line and also had five rebounds and three blocks. PJ Fuller shot 2 of 8 from the field, including 0 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 6 from the line to finish with 10 points. Nicholas Shogbonyo led the way for the Pioneers (3-4) with 15 points. Pedro Lopez-Sanvicente added 10 points and two blocks for Denver. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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