The Gophers football team resembled its fan base in one respect this week. Current players sat down to watch as their predecessors put together highlight after highlight in Minnesota’s 31-26 upset of Penn State in 2019. ADVERTISEMENT The positive plays were plentiful. Tanner Morgan’s three touchdown passes, including a 66-yard catch and run from Rashod Bateman to open the game; Mariano Sori-Marin’s pressure to force a lofted pass on Antoine Winfield’s second interception of the game; Tyler Johnson’s fighting off pass interference to make a one-handed catch on a 38-yard score; Chris Autman-Bell taking a screen pass and making multiple Nittany Lions miss on a 21-yard TD; Esezi Otomewo’s big sack; and Jordan Howden’s game-sealing pick. With fourth-ranked Penn State coming into Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, the Gophers will look to pull off another upset. Their use of highlights fulfills one of their mottos: Embracing the past to create our future. Minnesota (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) will need to collect a similar amount of big plays and turnovers to pull off an upset as an 11-point underdog to the Nittany Lions (9-1, 6-1). “It’s going to take our best players making plays like that,” head coach P.J. Fleck said about the 2019 victory. “Penn State’s going to say the same thing. We’re going to get their best shot. We know that. I don’t expect anything less from a James Franklin team, but we’ve got to coach them up so they get our best shot, too.” ADVERTISEMENT Back in 2019, the Gophers were 8-0 and ranked 13th in the nation. Penn State was also 8-0 and ranked fourth. Minnesota had not beat a ranked team up to that point and doubt remained that Minnesota could play with traditional powerhouses. After the win and fans stormed the field, the Gophers climbed the College Football Playoff rankings the next week. Five years on, it remains of the best wins of Fleck’s tenure since 2017. “That was a great moment spring-boarding us into what we have done consistently,” Fleck told the Pioneer Press. “Then just giving us that ability that we can and that mindset that we can and we will. It’s just a matter of time. A lot of things have to line up for it to happen, but that is what is so fun about it.” For the yesteryear Penn State game, Gophers defensive end Danny Striggow was a visiting recruit from Orono. He and other recruits were told not to storm the field because they were headed into the locker room postgame. ADVERTISEMENT “That was a cool game,” Striggow said. “... I was there as a recruit, so it’s kind of funny to look back on it, just being able to experience that as a fan and as a recruit.” Now Stiggow will play in his 50th game in maroon and gold. “(We can) look back at what they did to win that game, learn from that game and go forward and apply it,” Striggow said. Quarterback Max Brosmer said the 2019 Penn State game was the first one he watched to prepare for this year’s match-up. ADVERTISEMENT “I was wondering how Minnesota beat them in ’19 and what kind of things worked well for them,” Brosmer said. “... How did they execute the small details well to finish and win that game? We took away some good stuff from that game and we will use that to the best of our advantage.” ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .Cinematic signs of the times
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and a Hamas military leader, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The announcement came as health officials in the Gaza Strip said the death toll from the 13-month-old war between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000. The warrant marked the first time that a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice. The ICC panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe that both Netanyahu and his ex-defense minister bear responsibility for the war crime of starvation and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. Israel’s war has caused heavy destruction across Gaza, decimated parts of the territory and driven almost the entire population of 2.3 million people from their homes, leaving most dependent on aid to survive. Israel launched its war in Gaza after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250 . Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here’s the Latest: WASHINGTON — The White House fundamentally rejects the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday. She said the Biden administration was “deeply concerned by the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision.” The Biden administration has increased its warnings and appeals to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to spare civilians in airstrikes and other attacks, and to allow more aid to reach Gaza. However, a 30-day Biden administration deadline came and went earlier this month for Israel to meet specific U.S. targets to improve its treatment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza trapped in the war. U.S. demands included that Israel lift a near-total ban on delivery of aid to hard-hit north Gaza for starving civilians there. KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — The three children were playing outside a cluster of tents housing displaced people in the Gaza Strip when an Israeli airstrike killed them, along with six other people. It’s become a grim, near-daily ritual more than 13 months into the Israel-Hamas war, which local health authorities said Thursday has killed over 44,000 Palestinians. Israel carries out frequent strikes against what it says are militants hiding in civilian areas, and women and children are nearly always among the dead. Wednesday’s strike killed Hamza al-Qadi, 7, his brother Abdulaziz, 5, and their sister Laila, 4, in a tent camp in the southern city of Khan Younis. Areej al-Qadi, their mother, says they were playing outside when they were killed. “All that’s left of them are their notebooks, their books and a blood-stained jacket,” she said as she broke into tears. “They were children who did nothing.” The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment on the strike. Gaza’s Health Ministry said Thursday that 44,056 Palestinians have been killed and 104,268 wounded since the start of the war, which was ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack into Israel. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 people. The Health Ministry does not say how many of those killed in Gaza were fighters but says women and children make up more than half the fatalities. Israel, which rarely comments on individual strikes, says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Hours after the ministry announced the latest toll, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and a Hamas military leader. Mahmoud bin Hassan, the children’s father, said he buried them on Thursday. He asked when the international community would take action to stop the war. “When the entire Palestinian population has been killed?” he said. NEW YORK — Human Rights Watch applauded the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants issued Thursday against both Israeli and Hamas officials. The warrants “break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law,” the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. The New York-based rights group earlier this month released a report saying Israel has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, including massive forced displacements that amount to ethnic cleansing. JERUSALEM — Israeli prosecutors have charged a former aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with leaking classified documents to international media, apparently to protect the Israeli leader from criticism as a hostage deal was collapsing. Eli Feldstein, a former media adviser to Netanyahu, was charged Thursday with leaking classified information with the intent of harming state security and obstruction of justice. The leaked documents are said to have formed the basis of a widely discredited article in the London-based Jewish Chronicle — which was later withdrawn — suggesting Hamas planned to spirit hostages out of Gaza through Egypt, and an article in Germany’s Bild newspaper that said Hamas was drawing out the hostage talks as a form of psychological warfare on Israel. Critics say the leaks were aimed at giving Netanyahu political cover as the case-fire talks ground to a halt. Some have accused Netanyahu of resisting a deal in to preserve his governing coalition, which includes hard-line members who have threatened to bring down the government if he makes concessions to Hamas. The leaks came at a time of public uproar over the deaths of six hostages who were killed by their Hamas captors as Israeli soldiers were closing in. The indictment said the leaks were meant “to create media influence on the public discourse in Israel in regards to the handling of the hostage situation, after the news of the murder of six hostages.” The indictment identified two other Netanyahu aides as being connected to the scheme, but only Feldstein and an unidentified reservist in Israeli military intelligence were charged. Netanyahu, who denies the accusations, has not been identified as a suspect in the burgeoning investigation. Israeli media say if convicted, Feldstein could potentially face life in prison. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military has launched an investigation into the death of a 70-year-old Israeli man who entered Lebanon with Israeli forces and was killed in a Hezbollah ambush. Investigators are trying to determine, among other things, who allowed Zeev Erlich into the combat zone with the forces and why he was permitted to enter. According to Israeli media reports, Erlich was not on active duty when he was shot, but was wearing a military uniform and had a weapon. The army said he was a reservist with the rank of major and identified him as a “fallen soldier” when it announced his death. Erlich was a well-known West Bank settler and researcher of Jewish history. Media reports said Erlich was permitted to enter Lebanon to explore a local archaeological site. The army said a 20-year-old soldier was killed in the same incident, while an officer was badly wounded. The army announced Thursday that the chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, has appointed a team of experts “to examine and strengthen operational discipline and military culture” following the incident. It said its commander for northern Israel, Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, would launch a separate “command inquiry,” while Israeli military police conduct a separate probe. Such investigations can lead to criminal charges. BEIRUT — At least 29 people were killed Thursday in Israeli strikes on different towns and villages across Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state-run media. In eastern Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes killed 26 people in six different towns in Baalbek province, the health ministry and the National News Agency said. In Tyre province, southern Lebanon, three people were killed in an Israeli strike, the health ministry said. The health ministry Wednesday said that over 3,550 people have been killed in the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel, the majority following Israel’s escalation in late September. The European Union's foreign policy chief has underlined that the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas officials are a legal and not political matter, and that they are binding on all 27 EU member countries and other signatories to the ICC to implement. “The tragedy in Gaza has to stop," Josep Borrell told reporters during a visit to Jordan. “It is not a political decision. It is the decision of an international court of justice, and the decision of the court has to be respected, and implemented.” “This decision is a binding decision on all state parties of the court, which include all members of the European Union," he added. ANKARA — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling partyhas welcomed the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamn Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, calling it a judgement made for the sake of “humanity.” Omer Celik, spokesman for the Erdogan’s party, said on the social media platform X that Netanyahu and Gallant would “eventually be held accountable for genocide.” Celik also criticised Israeli officials who described the ICC decision as antisemitic. Turkey is among the most vocal critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and has submitted a formal request to join a genocide case that South Africa has filed against Israel at the U.N.’s International Court of Justice. Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp, whose country hosts the International Criminal Court, has confirmed The Netherlands would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he arrived on Dutch soil. “The line from the government is clear. We are obliged to cooperate with the ICC ... we abide 100% by the Rome Statute,” he said in response to a question in parliament Thursday. Other European officials were more cautious. In France, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said he supported the International Criminal Court's prosecutor but declined to comment when asked more specifically if France would arrest Netanyahu if he were to step on French soil. “Today, combating impunity is our priority. We ratified the ICC Statute in 2000 and have consistently supported the court’s actions. Our response will align with these principles,” Christophe Lemoine told reporters at a press conference. Lemoine added that the warrants were “a complex legal issue ... It’s a situation that requires a lot of legal precautions.” In Italy, the foreign and justice ministries didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment about whether Italy, an ICC member which hosted the Rome conference that gave birth to the court, would honor the arrest warrant. Premier Giorgia Meloni hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March 2023 and has strongly supported Israel since Oct. 7, while providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. JERUSALEM — Israel’s mostly ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, has called the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “a dark day for justice. A dark day for humanity.” In a post on X, he said the international court “has chosen the side of terror and evil over democracy and freedom, and turned the very system of justice into a human shield for Hamas’ crimes against humanity." Israel Katz, Israel’s new defense minister, said the decision was “a moral disgrace, entirely tainted by antisemitism, and drags the international judicial system to an unprecedented low.” He said it “serves Iran, the head of the snake, and its proxies.” Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, also condemned the decision, saying it showed “moral blindness” and was a “shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten.” Hamas has welcomed the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue warrants against Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, calling it an “important and historic precedent” after what it said was decades of injustice at the hands of a “fascist occupation.” The statement did not refer to the warrants issued for the militant group’s own leaders. Hamas called on all nations to “cooperate with the court in bringing the Zionist war criminals, Netanyahu and Gallant, to justice, and to work immediately to stop the crimes of genocide against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip.” DEIR AL-BALAH, The Gaza Strip — Bakeries have reopened in the central Gaza Strip after being closed for several days because of flour shortages. The shortages appear to have been linked to the looting of nearly 100 truckloads of aid by armed men in southern Gaza last weekend. Associated Press footage showed a crowd of hundreds pushing and shouting outside a bakery in the central city of Deir al-Balah on Thursday. The day before the reopening, the price of a bag of 15 loaves of pita bread had climbed above $13. “In my house, there is not a morsel of bread, and the children are hungry,” said Sultan Abu Sultan, who was displaced from northern Gaza during the war. The amount of aid entering Gaza plunged in October as Israel launched a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say famine may be underway . Hunger is widespread across the territory, even in central Gaza where aid groups have more access. Humanitarian organizations say Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of law and order make it difficult to deliver assistance. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, has displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people. Hundreds of thousands are crammed into tent camps with little in the way of public services and are reliant on international food aid. NICOSIA — The president of Cyprus says the European Union must play a bigger role in the Middle East as it can no longer stand by as an observer. President Nikos Christodoulides said the 27-member bloc needs to establish closer ties with countries that bolster regional stability like Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf states. “The conflict in the Middle East is taking place on the EU’s doorstep, in an area of vital interest to the bloc’s interests, where any escalation or regional spillover will have significant consequences on its security and stability,” Christodoulides told an Economist conference in the Cypriot capital. Christodoulides said EU member Cyprus for years has tried to get this message across to Brussels. The island nation earlier this year was the staging ground for a maritime corridor delivering some 20,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The EU is wracked by members’ divisions over how peace should come about in the Middle East THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian territory. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have previously condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s request for the warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. U.S. President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request. The death toll in the Gaza Strip from the 13-month-old war between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000, local health officials said Thursday. The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Health Ministry said 44,056 people have been killed and 104,268 wounded since the start of the war. It has said the real toll is higher because thousands of bodies are buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot access. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250 . Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Most of the rest were released during a cease-fire last year. Around 90% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, and hundreds of thousands are living in squalid tent camps with little food, water or basic services. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames their deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in residential areas, where they have built tunnels, rocket launchers and other military infrastructure. JERUSALEM — A rocket fired from Lebanon killed a man and wounded two others in northern Israel on Thursday, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service. The service said paramedics found the body of the man in his 30s near a playground in the town of Nahariya, near the border with Lebanon, after a rocket attack on Thursday. Israel meanwhile struck targets in southern Lebanon and several buildings south of Beirut, the Lebanese capital, after warning people to evacuate.Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Camila Cabello to perform at College Football National Championship
BRITS are being warned to take note of a firework rule ahead of New Years Eve - as cops warn you could face six months behind bars for breaches. As the festive period wraps up, UK households are being warned that using fireworks outside of designated times, among other things, could have devastating consequences. The designated times for setting off fireworks are not before 7am or after midnight. If you do, you could be breaching serious antisocial behaviour laws. And when buying fireworks, including sparklers, you can only do so from registered sellers for private use on specific dates. These are the 15 October to 10 November, the 26 to 31 December and three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year. At other times you can only buy fireworks from licensed shops. If you use or sell fireworks illegally, you could be fined an unlimited amount and put behind bars for up to a whopping six months. The Met Police have warned the public about varying firework categories. These include category one, which are dubbed "throwdown fireworks" like firecrackers and bangers. Category two and three are retail "adult fireworks". And category four are professional-grade fireworks from speciality suppliers. Guidance reads: "Anyone over 18 can buy, carry or use category one, two and three fireworks. "Anyone over 16 can only buy, carry or use category one fireworks. "Anyone over 12 can buy Christmas crackers. Only licensed professionals can buy, carry and use category 4 fireworks. "Unless part of an organised event by licensed professionals, fireworks cannot be used on the street or in a public place." The stern warnings come after the chaotic Bonfire Night in November that led to a number of arrests relating to fireworks. In one example, a hooded man with a homemade rocket launcher shot fireworks at people in Birmingham. Three teenage boys aged 17, 18, and 19 were arrested in Birmingham over the Bonfire Night chaos. And in Edinburgh, Manchester and Glasgow too, yobs hurled fireworks at riot cops on Guy Fawkes night. In Manchester , shocking footage showed louts making barricades from mattresses and pallets in clashes with police. Youths in the city started an illegal bonfire with waste and a motorbike, torched a car and hurled fireworks at emergency services. Three teen males, aged between 16 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of causing violent disorder. One bizarre scene from Edinburgh showed a yob putting a firework in his mouth .Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Camila Cabello to perform at College Football National Championship
https://arab.news/ytdaf TORONTO: Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the United States should President-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, a senior official said Wednesday. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across southern and northern borders. He said he would impose a 25 percent tax on all products entering the US from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. A Canadian government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs in retaliation. The official stressed no decision has been made. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the US in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Many of the US products were chosen for their political rather than economic impact. For example, Canada imports $3 million worth of yogurt from the US annually and most comes from one plant in Wisconsin, home state of then-House Speaker Paul Ryan. That product was hit with a 10 percent duty. Another product on the list was whiskey, which comes from Tennessee and Kentucky, the latter of which is the home state of then-Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell. Trump made the threat Monday while railing against an influx of illegal migrants, even though the numbers at Canadian border pale in comparison to the southern border. The US Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone — and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian one between October 2023 and September 2024. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are happy to work with the Trump administration to lower the numbers from Canada. The Canadians are also worried about a influx north of migrants if Trump follows through with his plan for mass deportations. Trump also railed about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border pale in comparison to the Mexican border. US customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Canadian officials argue their country is not the problem and that tariffs will have severe implications for both countries. Canada is the top export destination for 36 US states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian ($2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60 percent of US crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 percent of US electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the US and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. “Canada is essential to the United States’ domestic energy supply,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said. Trump has pledged to cut American energy bills in half within 18 months, something that could be made harder if a 25 percent premium is added to Canadian oil imports. In 2023, Canadian oil accounted for almost two-thirds of total US oil imports and about one-fifth of the US oil supply. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is holding a emergency virtual meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of Canada’s provinces, who want Trudeau to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States that excludes Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.”Church execs urge sobriety, lament use of Edsa ‘pawns’
SUNDAY, Dec. 8, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Shingles can strike anyone who had chickenpox when they were young, and the intense pain that can accompany this body rash has sidelined many a senior. Here, one expert explains how and why shingles can surface, and what you can do to treat it, or better yet, avoid it. Shingles can happen at any age, but it most typically affects people over 50 who have stress and compromised immunity. “Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It’s the same virus that causes chickenpox,” said Dr. Eugene Fellin , a family medicine physician at Penn State Health Medical Group – Fleetwood. “For most of us who grew up before the 1990s, when children began being immunized against chickenpox, we’ve been exposed to the virus and are at risk for shingles.” How can shingles surface? After lying dormant in the nervous system for years, the virus can reemerge as shingles, which causes painful rashes that typically surface on the face or around the side of the torso, Fellin explained. “It’s like a poison ivy rash that won’t go away,” he added in a Penn State news release. “It can occur in patches, but along that same nerve root. A lot of times, people feel some tingling or a burning sensation prior to the rash actually breaking out,” Fellin noted. “When we’re looking for the rash, it will be in a string on the torso because the nerves wrap around the torso. You get a line around you, from the back to the front.” “The other issue we worry about is if it breaks out on the face and involves the eye because this can lead to blindness,” Fellin said. “Shingles around the eye is considered dangerous, and an instant referral to an ophthalmologist is always recommended.” What can you take to treat shingles? Antivirals such as Valacyclovir can be prescribed, but they’re time-sensitive and need to be taken within 36 hours of the start of the rash because they work by slowing the spread of the virus, Fellin said. While symptoms subside after three to five weeks, pain can sometimes return in the form of postherpetic neuralgia , he said. This long-term nerve pain occurs where the shingles rash appeared and can last for months or even years. Older adults are more likely to develop postherpetic neuralgia and have longer lasting and more severe pain, Fellin said. Luckily, there is something you can do to avoid shingles altogether: get vaccinated. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the Shingrix vaccine, given in two doses, with the second dose given two to six months after the first. People who get shingles can still receive the vaccine, which can lower the chances of another outbreak, Fellin noted. Most family doctors and pharmacies stock the vaccine, which is covered by Medicare, he added. “Most insurance programs are covering it because it has been out long enough and shows a real benefit,” Fellin said in a Penn State news release. “There’s a lot of misinformation about vaccines circulating out there. My message is this: Don’t be afraid of this or any vaccine.” SOURCE: Penn State Health, news release, Dec. 5, 2024NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail on Wednesday as he awaits a May sex trafficking trial by a judge who cited evidence showing him to be a serious risk of witness tampering and proof that he has violated regulations in jail. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian made the decision in a written ruling following a bail hearing last week, when lawyers for the hip-hop mogul argued that a $50 million bail package they proposed would be sufficient to ensure Combs doesn’t flee and doesn’t try to intimidate prospective trial witnesses. Two other judges previously had been persuaded by prosecutors’ arguments that the Bad Boy Records founder was a danger to the community if he is not behind bars. Lawyers did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the decision. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years, aided by associates and employees. An indictment alleges that he silenced victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. A federal appeals court judge last month denied Combs’ immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan considers his bail request. Prosecutors have insisted that no bail conditions would be sufficient to protect the public and prevent the “I'll Be Missing You” singer from fleeing. They say that even in a federal lockup in Brooklyn, Combs has orchestrated social media campaigns designed to influence prospective jurors and tried to publicly leak materials he thinks can help his case. They say he also has contacted potential witnesses through third parties. Lawyers for Combs say any alleged sexual abuse described in the indictment occurred during consensual relations between adults and that new evidence refutes allegations that Combs used his “power and prestige” to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers known as “Freak Offs.” Larry Neumeister, The Associated Press
I HAVE received a bit of heat this week for some comments on Mohamed Salah — so let me talk you through it. I claimed Salah is NOT world class. The Liverpool player is a brilliant winger, his goalscoring numbers are incredible and he has achieved some truly amazing things at the club. But world class? No. Let me make this clear — this is not a personal attack on Salah. I think he is a top player and a great guy. I played against him a lot in my career and can appreciate just how good he is. But trying to be everyone’s friend? That’s not my bag. I will say it how it is. In general, this is about the term "world class" as a whole — what does it actually mean and when can we use it? Firstly, it is a very lucid way to describe a footballer. It's not like at The Masters when you get your Green Jacket and you are a champion of Augusta forever, regardless of how bad you play afterwards. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS It is something as a player that takes ages to earn and probably half a season to lose, and then the fight to get it back begins again. Some players — great players — have struggled to earn that title at all during their careers. Gary Neville is one of the most decorated full-backs of all time, but we all considered Roberto Carlos or Cafu to be a level above. Yet if I had Neville’s career behind me, would I care if someone said I wasn’t world class? Of course not. No player is safe from dropping out of this subjective, opinionated category, but there is always a way back. For instance, someone like Kylian Mbappe I would argue is also currently NOT world class. An incredible player, won plenty, got his big move to Real Madrid this summer , but his form has not been at the level of previous seasons. To earn and keep that world class tag, I believe you need to be able to transcend your whole team, transcend the game — not simply by having the most shirt sales, but being able to consistently lift a club to glory by yourself. Can Mbappe at 25 get back to being world class? Definitely. But for now, he has some work to do. As for Salah, you can look at his stats — 165 Prem goals in 274 games — and say this and that but ultimately, it is about what he brings to the team and the impact he has season after season, not just in certain games and moments. I was on the end of loads of drubbings at Watford when Salah was amazing for Liverpool. But when we prepared to face them, it was not just a case of "stop Salah and you win". It was a lot harder when they also had Sadio Mane in the side who, in my opinion , was more effective over that period than Salah. And if we were basing this purely off numbers and goals, then Bruno Fernandes would be one of the best midfielders in the world, but he is not. You see where I am coming from? I can remember Graeme Souness once telling me his theory on whether you were world class, and it was based on whether you could walk into any starting XI in world football. With that in mind, here are the five players currently in world football who, for me, can be deemed world class — who could stroll into any team on the planet and start: Saying all this, it is just my opinion . Someone can turn around and tell me I am wrong and that is absolutely fine. And if Salah is worrying about what I think, then he is definitely not world class.Share Tweet Share Share Email Connecting with experienced startup leaders can provide invaluable, practical insights for founders navigating the early stages of business growth . These seasoned professionals have firsthand experience in scaling ventures, building impactful teams, and securing investment—skills that are often hard-won through years of trial and error. Consulting with leaders such as Yoav Vilner, Alexis Ohanian, and Sarah Leary enables entrepreneurs to learn directly from those who have successfully overcome the same challenges they may face. From advice on product-market fit to strategies for attracting investors, these expert sessions offer tailored guidance, helping emerging founders make informed decisions that can set their companies on a path to success. 1. Yoav Vilner – CEO of Walnut.io Yoav Vilner is a tech visionary and the CEO of Walnut.io , a startup leading innovations in sales demos and product-led growth. Under Vilner’s leadership, Walnut has been celebrated as one of the most influential startups, with its disruptive approach to the traditional sales demo process. With a background recognized by Forbes as a “Tech Marketer to Watch,” Vilner brings deep expertise in building tech movements that resonate in the market. His consulting sessions on Intro offer a wealth of knowledge on fundraising , growth tactics, and navigating exits and acquisitions, making him an invaluable resource for early-stage founders and sales teams seeking to refine their go-to-market strategies. With his extensive experience in investing and advising for AI-driven and cybersecurity companies, Vilner provides a well-rounded perspective for budding entrepreneurs. As an angel investor and advisor to companies like Talon Security, he understands the intricacies of securing investments and scaling ventures. His sessions cover critical areas such as creating impactful sales demos and achieving sustainable growth. Given Walnut’s rapid rise and Vilner’s influence on tech marketing, he is well-suited to guide startups aiming to innovate within competitive sectors. 2. Alexis Ohanian – Co-founder of Reddit Alexis Ohanian , the co-founder of Reddit and founder of venture firm Seven Seven Six , is an influential figure in both tech innovation and early-stage investment. Known for pioneering one of the most popular social platforms, Ohanian has firsthand experience scaling a tech company from the ground up, having led Reddit to its acquisition by Condé Nast and later a successful turnaround. His track record with investments like Coinbase, Instacart, and Patreon also reflects his knack for identifying and nurturing potential. Ohanian’s sessions on Intro offer rare insights into early-stage growth, company culture, and navigating venture capital—a rich resource for those looking to make meaningful strides in their startups. Ohanian’s commitment to helping startups is further supported by his proceeds going to charitable causes, reflecting his dedication to social impact. For entrepreneurs seeking advice on managing operations or growth, Ohanian’s sessions are a valuable opportunity to learn from someone who has successfully transitioned from founder to investor. His approach combines operational insights with a community-oriented mindset, making him an inspiring figure for founders aiming to build both impactful and financially robust companies. 3. Neil Parikh – Co-founder of Casper Neil Parikh , co-founder of mattress company Casper , transformed a traditional industry by modernizing the mattress-shopping experience. Under Parikh’s leadership, Casper grew into a household name with a valuation of over $500 million. His experience in scaling a business from inception to hundreds of millions in revenue offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, particularly in sectors that may seem niche but have significant market potential. On Intro, Parikh’s consultations cover essential topics such as fundraising strategies, product development, and balancing bootstrapping versus seeking venture capital. Parikh’s extensive portfolio as an investor in over 150 companies—including Affirm and Reddit—reflects his adeptness at spotting innovation. His guidance is invaluable for founders seeking insights on product-market fit, hiring, and the decision-making involved in potential IPOs or acquisitions. Parikh’s sessions allow users to tap into the strategies that helped Casper achieve rapid growth, making him an excellent mentor for entrepreneurs looking to disrupt traditional markets. 4. Sarah Leary – Co-founder of Nextdoor Sarah Leary , co-founder of Nextdoor , has extensive experience scaling and expanding a community-focused platform. Leading Nextdoor to become a billion-dollar company and overseeing its IPO, Leary played a key role in product development, international expansion, and growth strategies. Her expertise on Intro provides invaluable insights into scaling community-based platforms, building user engagement, and navigating early-stage product-market fit, which are vital for startups seeking to make an impact in social networking or community-driven sectors. Beyond her experience with Nextdoor, Leary’s role as a venture partner at Unusual Ventures positions her well to advise on early-stage investing and growth tactics. Her sessions on Intro cover topics like community building, product marketing, and operational scaling, making her a strong resource for entrepreneurs aiming to build networks that foster real connections and user loyalty. Her track record and investor role make her advice particularly relevant for founders seeking to blend community impact with business growth. 5. Hillary Super – CEO of Victoria’s Secret & Co Hillary Super , CEO of Victoria’s Secret & Co and former CEO of Savage X Fenty, brings a wealth of experience in omni-channel retail, brand building, and leadership development . Super has overseen transformative periods at major retail brands, including Anthropologie, where she drove the brand’s omni-channel growth and expanded its market reach. Her sessions on Intro provide aspiring leaders and retail entrepreneurs with guidance on navigating complex brand transformations, scaling retail businesses, and developing effective team dynamics. With a background that includes roles at American Eagle and Old Navy, Super offers practical insights on managing large-scale operations and understanding consumer behavior in the fashion and retail sectors. Her expertise on leadership, organizational development, and career transitions can benefit those at the helm of fast-growing companies. Her proven ability to build and sustain popular brands makes her an excellent advisor for anyone looking to strengthen their company’s market presence. Related Items: Consulting , Start Up Leaders Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you The Role of IATF 16949 Consulting in Strengthening Automotive Quality Standards Navigating Complexity: The Essential Role of Tax Consulting in Business Strategy Global Consulting in the IT Industry: Subrat Patnaik Discusses Trends and Future Outlook Commentshttps://arab.news/ytdaf TORONTO: Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the United States should President-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, a senior official said Wednesday. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across southern and northern borders. He said he would impose a 25 percent tax on all products entering the US from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. A Canadian government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs in retaliation. The official stressed no decision has been made. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the US in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Many of the US products were chosen for their political rather than economic impact. For example, Canada imports $3 million worth of yogurt from the US annually and most comes from one plant in Wisconsin, home state of then-House Speaker Paul Ryan. That product was hit with a 10 percent duty. Another product on the list was whiskey, which comes from Tennessee and Kentucky, the latter of which is the home state of then-Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell. Trump made the threat Monday while railing against an influx of illegal migrants, even though the numbers at Canadian border pale in comparison to the southern border. The US Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone — and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian one between October 2023 and September 2024. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are happy to work with the Trump administration to lower the numbers from Canada. The Canadians are also worried about a influx north of migrants if Trump follows through with his plan for mass deportations. Trump also railed about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border pale in comparison to the Mexican border. US customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Canadian officials argue their country is not the problem and that tariffs will have severe implications for both countries. Canada is the top export destination for 36 US states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian ($2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60 percent of US crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 percent of US electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the US and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. “Canada is essential to the United States’ domestic energy supply,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said. Trump has pledged to cut American energy bills in half within 18 months, something that could be made harder if a 25 percent premium is added to Canadian oil imports. In 2023, Canadian oil accounted for almost two-thirds of total US oil imports and about one-fifth of the US oil supply. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is holding a emergency virtual meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of Canada’s provinces, who want Trudeau to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States that excludes Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.”
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