revised cockfighting law of 2020
WOOD DALE, Ill. , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, today announced that it will release financial results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2025, ended November 30, 2024 , after the close of the New York Stock Exchange trading session on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 . Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden faces a stark choice as he contemplates broad preemptive pardons to protect aides and allies from potential retribution by Donald Trump: Does he hew to the institutional norms he’s spent decades defending or flex the powers of the presidency in untested ways? The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers. But the president has discussed the topic with senior aides, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive subject. No decisions have been made, the people said, and it is possible Biden opts to do nothing at all. Biden is taking the idea seriously and has been thinking about it for as much as six months — before the presidential election — but has been concerned about the precedent it would set, according to another person familiar with the president’s discussions who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes –- and usually to those who have already been convicted of an offense — but Biden’s team is considering issuing them for some who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. The president could, if he chooses, issue blanket pardons to specific people whom Trump and his allies have threatened to punish. Or he could pardon a broad class of people — not unlike pardons issued to those convicted of federal marijuana offenses or those ensnared in the “don't ask, don't tell” military policies. Either way, he'd be using the powers of the presidency in a new way. Some worry that Trump and his allies, who have talked of enemies lists and exacting “retribution,” could launch investigations that would be reputationally and financially costly for targeted people even if they don’t result in prosecutions. The door has already been opened, given that Biden has extended a broad pardon to his son, Hunter , who was convicted and pleaded guilty in tax and gun cases. Biden explained that decision by saying he believed the prosecution of his son had been poisoned by politics. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that Biden plans additional pardons before leaving office though she would not elaborate on the process. She repeatedly referenced “changing factors” that motivated the president to pardon his son despite promising he wouldn’t. She said Republicans have continued to try to see Hunter Biden investigated for an array of alleged offenses, a rationale that could support additional pardons for Biden aides and allies. It was two weeks ago that one of the president’s closest allies in Congress, Rep, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, encouraged Biden to pardon his son Hunter. The morning after that conversation, Clyburn told Biden’s staff that he believed the president should also pardon those being targeted by Trump. “I was very forceful in my discussions with him about what I thought he ought to do regarding his son,” Clyburn said Friday. “But I also told them that I thought he ought to go even further, because all the noise about Jack Smith and Liz Cheney and Doctor Fauci and all of that.” Special Counsel Jack Smith has been investigating Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and for accusations he hoarded classified documents at his home. Liz Cheney, a conservative Republican , was the vice chairwoman of the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection and campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris. Fauci, an infectious disease expert, was instrumental in the government's response to the coronavirus. All have raised the ire of Trump. Clyburn said he told Biden’s team, only half jokingly, that because the Supreme Court has already said that the president has certain immunities, “let’s give that same immunity to Jack Smith for carrying out his duties and to, Doctor Fauci, Liz Cheney, they were carrying out their duties.” Among those mentioned publicly for possible presidential pardons, there are different sentiments on whether pardons would even be wanted. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supported the president’s move to pardon his son, but has been silent on the speculation that Biden is considering additional pardons for her or others. A top Pelosi ally, Rep. Adam Schiff, the Democratic congressman who led Trump’s first impeachment, has panned the idea of pardoning Biden's allies. He says “the courts are strong enough to withstand” the worst of Trump’s threats. “I don’t think a preemptive pardon makes sense,” the incoming senator told NPR recently. “I would urge the president not to do that. I think it would seem defensive and unnecessary,” Schiff said. Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, who was the lead manager on Trump’s second impeachment, on the charge of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, said members of Congress already are protected by the speech and debate clause in the Constitution, which protects them prosecution for participating in their legislative duties. Raskin said figures like Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and John Kelly , Trump's former White House chief of staff, would similarly be protected by the First Amendment. But Raskin said the question is, “Should they go through the criminal investigation and prosecution for not doing anything wrong? I think that’s why this whole issue has erupted.” Raksin added that with Trump promising to pardon hundreds of people who assaulted police officers on Jan. 6th, “I can hardly fault President Biden for exploring the use of the pardon to protect people from a fraudulent and unjust prosecution.” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he’s had no conversations with the White House regarding any preemptive pardons for current or former members of Congress. ___ Associated Press Writers Kevin Freking and Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report. Colleen Long, Zeke Miller And Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press
Not a lot went right for the Minnesota Twins last season. The lack of spending started the year on a sour note, and the implosion down the stretch put an ugly bow on it all. If you’re looking for silver linings though, the future is as bright as ever. Farm system more than just Minnesota Twins graduations Rocco Baldelli’s team went through a myriad of different injuries last season. The lack of consistent stars remaining on the field meant putting together a lineup card changed on a daily basis. That also brought plenty of rookie debuts along the way. Fans saw Brooks Lee, David Festa, Zebby Matthews, and others all take the field at Target Field for the first time. Despite graduating multiple projects from their farm system, the group is still well stocked. MLB Pipeline’s Sam Dykstra called the group one of the most improved across baseball. “Despite an early hamstring strain, 2023 fifth overall pick Walker Jenkins solidified his place as one of the game’s best hitting prospects with his climb to Double-A Wichita, and he gives the Twins a potential superstar in the making at the top of the pyramid. Below him, Luke Keaschall , David Festa and Zebby Matthews (the latter two have since graduated) all pushed their way onto the Top 100 with breakout seasons. Marco Raya ‘s career-high 97 2/3 innings certainly helped the top of the pitching group as it stands now. At the time of our midseason farm system rankings, Minnesota boasted six Top 100 talents and placed second. The graduations will probably cause them to slip, but there’s no ignoring Jenkins up top alongside the toolsy Emmanuel Rodriguez .” There’s a pretty solid chance that Walker Jenkins winds up being baseball’s top prospect before making his big league debut. He made it to Double-A last season and played in 82 games across all levels . His .282/.394/.439 slash line was impressive and the six home runs with 17 steals showed off the power and speed combination. Walker Jenkins last game of the season was his best game at Double-A, recording his first XBH and RBI 2-for-5 2B (110 mph) RBI R The 19-year-old started the season at Low-A and is currently ranked the No. 2 prospect in MLB by @MLBPipeline #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/ZzcbvHA8Ek Emmanuel Rodriguez could be the first prospect called upon by Minnesota with questions in the corners. He hit .280 with a 1.026 OPS and blasted nine home runs in 47 games . It’s too bad he isn’t right-handed from a roster construction standpoint, but even as a left the Twins are already considering his timeline. It isn’t just the best of the system that is notable for Minnesota either. Luke Keaschall went from top-10 depth to top-100 talent. Kyle DeBarge is a notable name from the 2024 draft and arms like C.J. Culpepper and Cory Lewis being around 15th in the organization is crazy. C.J. Culpepper ( @Twins ' No. 8 prospect) ties his career high with eight strikeouts through six perfect innings for the High-A @CRKernels . pic.twitter.com/9WTsOBjqeA There’s no reason to believe that Minnesota will avoid injuries this season. Last year they used 21 position players and 32 pitchers toed the rubber. That means utilizing the farm system will again be a must, especially considering a lack of free agent spending. It’s great to have a unit that is truly an asset. This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.On pardons, Biden weighs whether to flex presidential powers in broad new ways
Oracle Announces Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Financial ResultsTerry Walker started out as a teacher at Santiago Hills Elementary. But for the past 13 years, he's been the district's superintendent.
Citigroup announced on Monday that it has completed the separation of retail bank Banamex from its institutional banking business in Mexico as it prepares to list Banamex on the stock exchange. “With this separation complete, effective December 1, Citi will now operate two separate financial groups in Mexico: Grupo Financiero Citi México and Grupo Financiero Banamex,” the New York-based bank and financial services company said in a statement . “The separation into these financial groups marks a significant step in the execution of its strategic plan to simplify the firm,” the company added. Citigroup purchased Banamex – one of Mexico’s largest banks – in 2001. It announced in May 2023 that it would seek to sell Banamex on the stock exchange, ending conjecture that a US $7 billion sale to the conglomerate Grupo México was imminent . On Monday, Citigroup said that it “continues to actively work on the proposed IPO of Grupo Financiero Banamex.” The timing of the listing, it added, “will be driven by regulatory approvals and market conditions to maximize shareholder value, which remains a priority for Citi.” Reuters has reported that Citigroup has considered a dual stock listing for Banamex, possibly in Mexico City and New York. Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser said Monday that the separation of Banamex from Citi México “represents an important milestone in our simplification and brings us closer to our long-term vision of a more connected bank that is focused around our core strengths.” “We are proud to have executed this process thoughtfully and with full transparency. Our commitment to our clients in Mexico is as strong as ever, and we will continue to connect Mexico and the world through our market-leading investor and corporate client platforms,” she said. “We will now prepare for the Banamex IPO, focused on optimizing value for our shareholders.” According to the Citigroup statement, Citi México will maintain “a significant presence” in Mexico and continue to serve Citi’s institutional clients here through “a full-service bank,” Citi Banco México, and through the brokerage Citi México Casa de Bolsa. Approximately 3,000 Citi México employees will serve around 2,000 institutional clients, including “financial institutions, governments, investors, multinationals, and national companies seeking to internationalize,” according to Citigroup. For its part, Banamex will continue to operate as a full-service bank, “offering retail banking, including wealth management services, consumer loans, residential mortgage lending, deposits, payroll services, payments and a full suite of commercial banking products,” Citigroup said. “... With its digital-first mentality, innovative online banking and mobile apps and an extensive network of approximately 1,300 branches and more than 9,100 ATMs across the country, Banamex will continue to offer a full range of financial services to nearly 20 million clients, furthering its 140-year legacy in Mexico,” the company said. “Over 39,000 employees currently supporting these businesses, as well as Banamex’s art collection and historical buildings, and the social and cultural associations ( Fomentos ), will continue to be part of the Banamex financial group,” Citigroup added. Banamex had revenue of more than US $4.7 billion in the first nine months of 2024, the Wall Street Journal reported last week . “Banamex accounted for about 8% of Citi’s total revenue in the first nine months of 2024,” the newspaper said. With reports from Reuters
NoneSTANFORD, Calif. — Andrew Luck is returning to Stanford in hopes of turning around a struggling football program that he once helped become a national power. Athletic director Bernard Muir announced Saturday that Luck has been hired as the general manager of the Stanford football team, tasked with overseeing all aspects of the program that just finished a 3-9 season under coach Troy Taylor. “I am a product of this university, of Nerd Nation; I love this place,” Luck said. “I believe deeply in Stanford’s unique approach to athletics and academics and the opportunity to help drive our program back to the top. Coach Taylor has the team pointed in the right direction, and I cannot wait to work with him, the staff, and the best, brightest, and toughest football players in the world.” Luck has kept a low profile since his surprise retirement from the NFL at age 29 when he announced in August 2019 that he was leaving the Indianapolis Colts and pro football. Cardinal alum Andrew Luck, left, watches a Feb. 2 game between Stanford and Southern California on Feb. 2 in Stanford, Calif. In his new role, Luck will work with Taylor on recruiting and roster management, and with athletic department and university leadership on fundraising, alumni relations, sponsorships, student-athlete support and stadium experience. “Andrew’s credentials as a student-athlete speak for themselves, and in addition to his legacy of excellence, he also brings a deep understanding of the college football landscape and community, and an unparalleled passion for Stanford football,” Muir said. “I could not think of a person better qualified to guide our football program through a continuously evolving landscape, and I am thrilled that Andrew has agreed to join our team. This change represents a very different way of operating our program and competing in an evolving college football landscape.” Luck was one of the players who helped elevate Stanford into a West Coast powerhouse for several years. He helped end a seven-year bowl drought in his first season as starting quarterback in 2009 under coach Jim Harbaugh and led the Cardinal to back-to-back BCS bowl berths his final two seasons, when he was the Heisman Trophy runner-up both seasons. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck throws a pass during the first quarter of a Nov. 27, 2010 game against Oregon State in Stanford, Calif. That was part of a seven-year stretch in which Stanford posted the fourth-best record in the nation at 76-18 and qualified for five BCS bowl berths under Harbaugh and David Shaw. But the Cardinal have struggled for success in recent years and haven't won more than four games in a season since 2018. Stanford just finished its fourth straight 3-9 campaign in Taylor's second season since replacing Shaw. The Cardinal are the only power conference team to lose at least nine games in each of the past four seasons. Luck graduated from Stanford with a bachelor’s degree in architectural design and returned after retiring from the NFL to get his master’s degree in education in 2023. He was picked No. 1 overall by Indianapolis in the 2012 draft and made four Pro Bowls and was AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2018 in his brief but successful NFL career. Before the 2023 National Football League season started, it seemed inevitable that Bill Belichick would end his career as the winningest head coach in league history. He had won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and 298 regular-season games, plus 31 playoff games, across his career. Then the 2023 season happened. Belichick's Patriots finished 4-13, the franchise's worst record since 1992. At the end of the year, Belichick and New England owner Robert Kraft agreed to part ways. And now, during the 2024 season, Belichick is on the sideline. He's 26 wins from the #1 spot, a mark he'd reach in little more than two seasons if he maintained his .647 career winning percentage. Will he ascend the summit? It's hard to tell. Belichick would be 73 if he graced the sidelines next season—meaning he'd need to coach until at least 75 to break the all-time mark. Only one other NFL coach has ever helmed a team at age 73: Romeo Crennel in 2020 for the Houston Texans. With Belichick's pursuit of history stalled, it's worth glancing at the legends who have reached the pinnacle of coaching success. Who else stands among the 10 winningest coaches in NFL history? Stacker ranked the coaches with the most all-time regular-season wins using data from Pro Football Reference . These coaches have combined for 36 league championships, which represents 31.6% of all championships won throughout the history of pro football. To learn who made the list, keep reading. You may also like: Ranking the biggest NFL Draft busts of the last 30 years - Seasons coached: 23 - Years active: 1969-91 - Record: 193-148-1 - Winning percentage: .566 - Championships: 4 Chuck Noll's Pittsburgh Steelers were synonymous with success in the 1970s. Behind his defense, known as the Steel Curtain, and offensive stars, including Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and Lynn Swann, Noll led the squad to four Super Bowl victories from 1974 to 1979. Noll's Steelers remain the lone team to win four Super Bowls in six years, though Andy Reid and Kansas City could equal that mark if they win the Lombardi Trophy this season. Noll was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, two years after retiring. His legacy of coaching success has carried on in Pittsburgh—the club has had only two coaches (Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin) since Noll retired. - Seasons coached: 33 - Years active: 1921-53 - Record: 226-132-22 - Winning percentage: .631 - Championships: 6 An early stalwart of the NFL, Curly Lambeau spent 29 years helming the Green Bay Packers before wrapping up his coaching career with two-year stints with the Chicago Cardinals and Washington. His Packers won titles across three decades, including the league's first three-peat from 1929-31. Notably, he experienced only one losing season during his first 27 years with Green Bay, cementing his legacy of consistent success. Born in Green Bay, Lambeau co-founded the Packers and played halfback on the team from 1919-29. He was elected to the Hall of Fame as a coach and owner in 1963, two years before his death. You may also like: Countries with the most active NFL players - Seasons coached: 29 - Years active: 1960-88 - Record: 250-162-6 - Winning percentage: .607 - Championships: 2 The first head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Landry held the position for his entire 29-year tenure as an NFL coach. The Cowboys were especially dominant in the 1970s when they made five Super Bowls and won the big game twice. Landry was known for coaching strong all-around squads and a unit that earned the nickname the "Doomsday Defense." Between 1966 and 1985, Landry and his Cowboys enjoyed 20 straight seasons with a winning record. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990. - Seasons coached: 26 - Years active: 1999-present - Record: 267-145-1 - Winning percentage: .648 - Championships: 3 The only active coach in the top 10, Andy Reid has posted successful runs with both the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City. After reaching the Super Bowl once in 14 years with the Eagles, Reid ratcheted things up with K.C., winning three titles since 2019. As back-to-back defending champions, Reid and Co. are looking this season to become the first franchise to three-peat in the Super Bowl era and the third to do so in NFL history after the Packers of 1929-31 and '65-67. Time will tell if Reid and his offensive wizardry can lead Kansas City to that feat. - Seasons coached: 29 - Years active: 1991-95, 2000-23 - Record: 302-165 - Winning percentage: .647 - Championships: 6 The most successful head coach of the 21st century, Bill Belichick first coached the Cleveland Browns before taking over the New England Patriots in 2000. With the Pats, Belichick combined with quarterback Tom Brady to win six Super Bowls in 18 years. Belichick and New England split after last season when the Patriots went 4-13—the worst record of Belichick's career. His name has swirled around potential coaching openings , but nothing has come of it. Belichick has remained in the media spotlight with his regular slot on the "Monday Night Football" ManningCast. - Seasons coached: 33 - Years active: 1963-95 - Record: 328-156-6 - Winning percentage: .677 - Championships: 2 The winningest head coach in NFL history is Don Shula, who first coached the Baltimore Colts (losing Super Bowl III to Joe Namath and the New York Jets) for seven years before leading the Miami Dolphins for 26 seasons. With the Fins, Shula won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1972 and 1973, a run that included a 17-0 season—the only perfect campaign in NFL history. He also coached quarterback great Dan Marino in the 1980s and '90s, but the pair made it to a Super Bowl just once. Shula was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997. Story editing by Mike Taylor. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. You may also like: The 5 biggest upsets of the 2023-24 NFL regular season - Seasons coached: 23 - Years active: 1981-2003 - Record: 190-165-2 - Winning percentage: .535 - Championships: 0 Dan Reeves reached the Super Bowl four times—thrice with the Denver Broncos and once with the Atlanta Falcons—but never won the NFL's crown jewel. Still, he racked up nearly 200 wins across his 23-year career, including a stint in charge of the New York Giants, with whom he won Coach of the Year in 1993. In all his tenures, he quickly built contenders—the three clubs he coached were a combined 17-31 the year before Reeves joined and 28-20 in his first year. However, his career ended on a sour note as he was fired from a 3-10 Falcons team after Week 14 in 2003. - Seasons coached: 21 - Years active: 1984-98, 2001-06 - Record: 200-126-1 - Winning percentage: .613 - Championships: 0 As head coach of Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington, and San Diego, Marty Schottenheimer proved a successful leader during the regular season. Notably, he was named Coach of the Year after turning around his 4-12 Chargers team to a 12-4 record in 2004. His teams, however, struggled during the playoffs. Schottheimer went 5-13 in the postseason, and he never made it past the conference championship round. As such, the Pennsylvania-born skipper is the winningest NFL coach never to win a league championship. - Seasons coached: 25 - Years active: 1946-62, '68-75 - Record: 213-104-9 - Winning percentage: .672 - Championships: 7 The only coach on this list to pilot a college team, Paul Brown, reached the pro ranks after a three-year stint at Ohio State and two years with the Navy during World War II. He guided the Cleveland Browns—named after Brown, their first coach—to four straight titles in the fledgling All-America Football Conference. After the league folded, the ballclub moved to the NFL in 1950, and Cleveland continued its winning ways, with Brown leading the team to championships in '50, '54, and '55. He was fired in 1963 but returned in 1968 as the co-founder and coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. His other notable accomplishments include helping to invent the face mask and breaking pro football's color barrier . - Seasons coached: 40 - Years active: 1920-29, '33-42, '46-55, '58-67 - Record: 318-148-31 - Winning percentage: .682 - Championships: 6 George Halas was the founder and longtime owner of the Chicago Bears and coached the team across four separate stints. Nicknamed "Papa Bear," he built the ballclub into one of the NFL's premier franchises behind players such as Bronko Nagurski and Sid Luckman. Halas also played for the team, competing as a player-coach in the 1920s. The first coach to study opponents via game film, he was once a baseball player and even made 12 appearances as a member of the New York Yankees in 1919. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963 as both a coach and owner. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of people fled the central Syrian city of Homs, the country’s third largest, as insurgents seized two towns on the outskirts Friday, positioning themselves for an assault on a potentially major prize in their march against President Bashar Assad. The move, reported by pro-government media and an opposition war monitor, was the latest in the stunning advances by opposition fighters over the past week that have so far met little resistance from Assad’s forces. A day earlier, fighters captured the central city of Hama , Syria’s fourth largest, after the army said it withdrew to avoid fighting inside the city and spare the lives of civilians. The insurgents, led by the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have vowed to march to Homs and the capital, Damascus, Assad’s seat of power. Videos circulating online showed a highway jammed with cars full of people fleeing Homs, a city with a large population belonging to Assad’s Alawite sect, seen as his core supporters. If Assad’s military loses Homs, it could be a crippling blow. The city, parts of which were controlled by insurgents until 2014, stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where Assad enjoys wide support. Homs province is Syria’s largest in size and borders Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. The city is also home to one of Syria’s two state-run oil refineries. Pressure on the government intensified from multiple directions. Opposition protesters stormed security posts and army positions in the southern province of Sweida, opposition activists said. U.S.-backed Kurdish forces who control eastern and northeastern Syria began to encroach on government-held territory. After years of largely being bottled up in a northwest corner of the country, the insurgents burst out a week ago, captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest , and have kept advancing since. Government troops have repeatedly fallen back. The sudden offensive has flipped the tables on a long-entrenched stalemate in Syria’s nearly 14-year-old civil war. Along with HTS, the fighters include forces of an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Turkey has denied backing the offensive , though experts say insurgents would not have launched it without the country's consent. HTS’s leader, Abu Mohammad al-Golani, told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that Assad’s government was on the path to falling, propped up only by Russia and Iran. “The seeds of the regime’s defeat have always been within it,” he said. “But the truth remains, this regime is dead.” A key question about Assad’s ability to fight back is how much top ally Russia — whose troops back Assad’s forces — will throw support his way at a time when it is tied up in the war in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he planned to discuss the developments in Syria with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts at a meeting Friday in the Qatari capital, Doha. In an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, he said international actors were backing the insurgents’ advances and that he would discuss “the way to cut the channels of financing and arming them.” Meanwhile, Russia’s embassy in Syria issued a notice reminding Russian citizens that they may use commercial flights to leave the country “in view of the difficult military-political situation.” The foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq and Syria — three close allies — gathered Friday in Baghdad to consult on the rapidly changing war. Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh said the current developments may pose “a serious threat to the security of the region as a whole.” The insurgent fighters on Friday took over the central towns of Rastan and Talbiseh, putting them 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Homs, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor. “The battle of Homs is the mother of all battles and will decide who will rule Syria,” said Rami Abdurrahman, the Observatory’s chief. Pro-government Sham FM said the insurgents entered Rastan and Talbiseh without facing any resistance. There was no immediate comment from the Syrian military. The Observatory said Syrian troops had left Homs. But the military denied that in comments reported by the state news agency SANA, saying troops were reinforcing their positions in the city and were “ready to repel” any assault. In eastern Syria, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces coalition said it had moved into the government-held half of the city of Deir el-Zour, apparently without resistance. One of the main cities in the east, Deir el-Zour had long been split between the government on the western side of the Euphrates River and the SDF on the eastern side. The SDF also said it took control of further parts of the border with Iraq. That appeared to bring it closer to the government-held Boukamal border crossing. The crossing is a vital for the government because it is the gateway to the corridor to Iran, a supply line for Iran-backed fighters, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. At the same time, insurgents seized Syria’s sole crossing to Jordan, according to opposition activists. Jordan announced it was closing its side of the crossing. Lebanon also closed all but one of its border crossings with Syria. The opposition assault has struck a blow to Syria’s already decrepit economy. On Friday, the U.S. dollar was selling on Syria’s parallel market for about 18,000 pounds, a 25% drop from a week ago. When Syria’s conflict erupted in March 2011, a dollar was valued at 47 pounds. The drop further undermines the purchasing power of Syrians at a time when the U.N. has warned that 90% of the population is below the poverty line. Syria’s economy has been hammered for years by the war, Western sanctions, corruption and an economic meltdown in neighboring Lebanon, Syria’s main gate to the outside world. Damascus residents told The Associated Press that people are rushing to markets to buy food, fearing further escalation. The worsening economy could be undermining the ability of Syria’s military to fight, as the value of soldiers’ salaries melts away while the insurgents are flush with cash. Syria’s military has not appeared to put up a cohesive counteroffensive against the opposition advances. SANA on Friday quoted an unnamed military official as saying the Syrian and Russian air forces were striking insurgents in Hama province, killing dozens of fighters. Syria’s defense minister said in a televised statement late Thursday that government forces withdrew from Hama as “a temporary tactical measure” and vowed to gain back lost areas. “We are in a good position on the ground,” Gen. Ali Mahmoud Abbas said, saying troops remained “at the gates of Hama.” He spoke before the opposition advanced further south toward Homs. He said the insurgents, whom he described as “takfiri” or Muslim extremists, are backed by foreign countries. He did not name the countries but appeared to be referring to Turkey and the United States. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, and Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.Affirm CFO Robert O'Hare sells $957,548 in stockLAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024-- On November 14th, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced the honorees of the CES 2025 Innovation Awards®. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will once again sponsor the Japan (J-Startup) Pavilion at CES’ startup arena Eureka Park from January 7-10, bringing 31 rising startups from Japan to Las Vegas. This year seven of the Japan Pavilion exhibitors have been designated CES Innovation Award honorees. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121357473/en/ JETRO to showcase 31 rising Japanese startups at CES 2025 Japan Pavilion (Graphic: Business Wire) The CES Innovation Awards® program highlights exhibiting products with “outstanding design and engineering.” Judges review products across a multitude of consumer technology categories, and recognize as honorees “the top-scoring products in each category.” Among the seven honorees, BionicM was awarded “Best of Innovation” in the Accessibility & AgeTech category for their product Bio Leg®, a cutting-edge robotic prosthetic leg that transitions smoothly from sitting to standing and even moving in different terrains. Best of Innovation Awards are presented to “the highest-scoring products in the program,” according to the CTA. This year, the Japan Pavilion matched its 2023 record of seven Innovation Awards received, but this is the first time a Best of Innovation title was included among those seven awards. JETRO seeks to spotlight groundbreaking technologies from Japan on the global stage, with an emphasis on “first in the world, first in the region, and first in the industry” innovations. JETRO will provide networking support and pitch training to all participating exhibitors. Many of the exhibitors will participate in pitch battles held at the pavilion itself, as well as media-focused events during CES week, such as CES Unveiled , ShowStoppers , and Launch.IT . The Japan Pavilion will be located at Tech West Venetian Expo 1F Hall G Booths 61000-61001 ( see map ). In addition, Innovation Award honorees will be able to display their products at the Innovation Awards Showcase in the Venetian Expo. For up-to-date information about the Japan Pavilion at CES, please visit: http://www.jetro.go.jp/usa/topics/ces-2025.html Japan (J-Startup) Pavilion Full Exhibitor List CES 2025 “Best of Innovation” Honoree BionicM – “Bio Leg®” Category: Accessibility & AgeTech Bio Leg is an electrically powered prosthetic knee that replaces leg strength lost due to amputation. Bio Leg uses powered assistance to reduce the physical burden on users and provide a smoother ambulatory experience, and the product’s bionic muscle technology is designed to ease transition between different positions and terrains. Bio Leg also has a natural-looking silhouette that promotes balance and visible harmony. CES 2025 “Innovation Award” Honorees FingerVision – “FingerVision R1” Category: Robotics FingerVision R1 is a robotic hand fitted with FingerVision’s proprietary vision-based tactile sensors. It can sense slippage, firmness, and other information, which is combined with advanced object manipulation capabilities, allowing FingerVision R1 to grip and pick up delicate, soft, or uneven products, as gently as a human hand would. Kailas Robotics – “MobiRobo” Category: Robotics MobiRobo is a robotic arm that automatically captures objects using eye-tracking technology, and provides haptic feedback. This technology can be applied to a wide range of situations and applications, from precision soldering for electronic devices to prosthetics and assistive devices for individuals with disabilities. Monoxer – “Monoxer Junior” Category: Mobile Devices & Accessories Monoxer Junior is a home learning app for students entering elementary school. It uses AI to change question formats to match the user’s level and memorization status, generating questions of optimal difficulty level for that user. The app is designed to help children study and learn in a stress-free, fun, and educational manner. Qolo – “Qolo Rehabilitation” Category: Digital Health Qolo Rehabilitation is a device designed to support patients learning to stand again, by providing repeatable stand-up movement training and real-time data monitoring. Its unique technology increases the efficiency of training, while reducing the physical burden on physical therapists. It is compact and portable, reducing location restrictions and increasing patient access to the device. RevComm – “RevComm” Category: Artificial Intelligence RevComm is an AI-equipped analysis system and IP phone that converts conversations into big data. From telemarketing to web conferences to offline negotiations, RevComm helps users and businesses make data-driven decisions, increase sales, and improve customer satisfaction scores. RevComm was named one of Forbes’ “The AI 50 2023.” ROMS – “Nano-Stream” Category: Industrial Equipment & Machinery Nano-Stream is a Japanese-made fully automated small-scale warehouse system, featuring built-in high-density automated storage and retrieval capabilities. Its setup starts from as small as 100 square meters, but can be scaled up (or down) over time to meet warehouse and business needs. About JETRO The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a Japanese government-affiliated agency that supports Japanese businesses expanding globally and international businesses entering Japan. JETRO’s Startup Division assists innovative Japanese startups in entering the global market, supporting over 700 startups each year across 15 different acceleration programs. JETRO has organized the CES Japan (J-Startup) Pavilion since 2019. About J-Startup J-Startup is a startup support program launched by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in 2018 to boost innovation activities and help promising startups compete globally. Operated collaboratively by JETRO, METI, and other public agencies, the program provides startups chosen through a rigorous selection process with various resources and support. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121357473/en/ CONTACT: Ken Yoshida Will Ferguson JETRO San Francisco Email: Startup@jetro.go.jp Phone: +1-415-392-1333 KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA NEVADA UNITED STATES JAPAN NORTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: VOIP SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ROBOTICS APPS/APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RETAIL DATA ANALYTICS TELECOMMUNICATIONS HEALTH PHYSICAL THERAPY SOURCE: Japan External Trade Organization Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/21/2024 06:54 PM/DISC: 11/21/2024 06:53 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121357473/enSupreme Court divided over government contracting fraud conviction
WOOD DALE, Ill. , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR ), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, today announced that it will release financial results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2025, ended November 30, 2024 , after the close of the New York Stock Exchange trading session on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 . On Tuesday, January 7, 2025 , at 4 p.m. Central time , AAR will hold a conference call to discuss the results. A listen-only webcast and slides can be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ajocdbor . Participants may join via phone by registering at https://register.vevent.com/register/BIbb0ac5ff18564eedbc99a44684780b13 . Once registered, participants will receive a dial-in number and a unique PIN that will allow them to access the call. A replay of the conference call will be available for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call at the webcast link and will remain available for approximately one year. About AAR AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, Integrated Solutions, and Expeditionary Services. Additional information can be found at aarcorp.com . Contact: Denise Pacioni Director of Investor Relations +1-630-227-5830 [email protected] SOURCE AAR CORP.
Oil rises on Lebanon fears, more Opec+ supply cuts
AP News Summary at 6:20 p.m. ESTOxford crowned ‘brain rot’ as 2024’s word of the year. Here’s how to make it sparser in your ... [+] vocabulary come 2025. The term “brain rot” has taken social media and cultural discourse by storm, describing the erosion of our intellectual and emotional well-being due to endless consumption of low-quality online content. Coined as far back as 1854 by Henry David Thoreau in Walden , the idea of mental deterioration from trivial distractions has never been more relevant. With a 230% surge in usage between 2023 and 2024, this uptick signals a collective awakening to the negative impacts of our increasingly virtual lives. However, it’s not just a critique of technology—it’s a call for intentional living . While digital content isn’t inherently bad, unchecked consumption can lead to a passive, reactive state of mind that Thoreau himself cautioned against. As our engagement with digital media skyrockets, so do its effects on our mental and emotional health. The consequences of brain rot extend far beyond mere distraction. Here are four key ways it impacts us: Recognizing these impacts is key to reclaiming mental clarity and emotional balance in a digital-first world. But how do we reclaim our mental clarity and restore balance in a world designed to captivate—and often overwhelm—our minds? Here are four effective strategies to protect your brain from the rot of digital overconsumption. FBI Warns iPhone And Android Users—Stop Sending Texts FBI Warns Smartphone Users—Hang Up And Create A Secret Word Now Gmail Takeover Hack Attack—Google Warns You Have Just 7 Days To Act 1. Curate A ‘Mental Diet’ For Intentional Content Consumption Just as your body depends on a balanced diet for physical health, your mind thrives on the quality of the information you consume. Curate your "mental diet" with the intention to take control of your digital habits. Here’s where you can start: 2. Practice Digital Hygiene for Sustainable Tech Use Practicing digital hygiene means setting boundaries that allow you to use technology as a tool for productivity and connection without letting it dominate your life. Here’s how you can draw them: 3. Reconnect With Analog Experiences For Mental Clarity Analog activities not only ground us in the present but also counteract the mental fatigue that comes with constant digital engagement. Some points to consider here: 4. Elevate Your Cognitive Fitness With ‘Cross-Training For The Brain’ Think of your brain as a high-performance tool that thrives on diverse challenges. Keep it sharp by balancing intellectual tasks in ways that demand both focus and creativity. Next time you feel the pull of mindless scrolling, pause and ask yourself—is this feeding my growth or contributing to brain rot? That simple question might be the first step toward a healthier, more intentional relationship with technology. Wondering if your social media habits are unhealthy? Take the science-based Doomscrolling Scale Test to see if you might have a “doomscrolling” issue.
By FARNOUSH AMIRI, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz’s nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump’s desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It’s unclear what’s next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he’s done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress,” he said.Upping yields in agriculture
Pure Storage and Kioxia Collaborate to Drive Scalability, Efficiency, and Performance in Hyperscale Data CentersStock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow record