huuuge casino real money
Trump brings back government by social mediaREGINA - Saskatchewan’s fall legislative sitting ended with political barbs traded across the aisle after Premier Scott Moe promised a better tone two weeks ago. The swipes began when Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck told the assembly Moe should offer immediate affordability relief, including suspending the 15-cent-a-litre gas tax and scrapping the provincial sales tax on ready-to-eat grocery items and children’s clothing. In reply, Moe said there is no sales tax on groceries and that Beck should go speak to federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Crown Investments Minister Jeremy Harrison also said New Democrats don’t know how to grow the economy. The remarks drew ire from Opposition members, with one saying Moe’s government deserves a lump of coal for Christmas. Moe had promised in late November better civility in the house after former Speaker Randy Weekes accused government members of bullying and harassment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024.Pat Sullivan/AP Joe Biden made history as the first president to openly oppose the death penalty, vowing on the campaign trail to push legislation to abolish the practice at the federal level. That promise was never fulfilled, and advocates against the death penalty remain disappointed. But now with only 42 days left in office, more than 130 criminal justice reform groups are urging the president to invoke his public opposition to the death penalty by commuting federal death sentences before the incoming Trump administration attempts another execution spree. “We know from his first term that President-elect Trump has an unprecedented extreme, cruel, and unconstitutional stance on the death penalty,” Yasmin Cader, Deputy Legal Director at the ACLU and the Director of the Trone Center for Justice and Equality, told Mother Jones. “So Biden’s actions now are critical in light of that.” The warnings are well warranted. Trump’s first term saw more federal executions than any other president in more than a century, with his final months in office overseeing an extraordinary spree to execute 13 death row inmates. Trump also loosened federal restrictions on the death penalty and paved the way for highly contested methods of executions to be introduced, including nitrogen gas executions. Many of those executed had documented cases of intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses. “What Trump did in his first term really shows how broken the death penalty system is,” said Cader. “It is error-prone, it is racially biased, it is a drain on public resources. It doesn’t deter crime, and it doesn’t make communities safer.” The president-elect has made it clear that he intends to lift the Biden-era pause on federal executions during his second term. He’s also particularly focused on demanding death sentences for migrants convicted of killing US citizens. “This kind of rhetoric threatens to drive extreme sentences in other contexts because it makes every sentence less than death seem comparatively lenient,” said Cader. The call to action comes against a broader push for Biden to commute the sentences of those targeted by the nation’s “War on Drugs,” a longstanding movement reignited after the president pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted on federal gun charges and tax offenses. As my colleague Melvis Acosta wrote : Hunter Biden will not spend a day inside a prison cell for his offenses; the same can’t be said for tens of thousands of people serving federal prison time because of disproportionate conviction and sentencing in the starkly racist War on Drugs. Biden can still pardon many of them, or commute their sentences—and set another, more valuable precedent. The Biden administration is also considering preemptively pardoning individuals that Trump could potentially target once he’s sworn in, including former Rep. Liz Cheney, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and former chair of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff.AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:35 p.m. EST
Cryptic Video Linked to Luigi Mangione Pops Up on YouTube Hours After ArrestNEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lument Finance Trust, Inc. (NYSE: LFT ) ("LFT" or the "Company") announced the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.08 per share of common stock with respect to the fourth quarter of 2024. The Company also announced the declaration of a one-time special cash dividend of $0.09 per share of common stock due to real estate investment trust tax considerations. These dividends are payable on January 15, 2025 , to common stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 31, 2024 . The Company also announced the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.4921875 per share of 7.875% Cumulative Redeemable Series A Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable on January 15, 2025 to preferred stockholders of record as of the close of business January 2, 2025 . About LFT LFT is a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, financing and managing a portfolio of commercial real estate debt investments. The Company primarily invests in transitional floating rate commercial mortgage loans with an emphasis on middle-market multi-family assets. LFT is externally managed and advised by Lument Investment Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Additional Information and Where to Find It Investors, security holders and other interested persons may find additional information regarding the Company at the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov/ or the Company website www.lumentfinancetrust.com or by directing requests to: Lument Finance Trust, 230 Park Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10169, Attention: Investor Relations. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-looking statements by use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "plan," "continue," "intend," "should," "may," "will," "seek," "would," "could," or similar expressions or other comparable terms, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of its future performance, taking into account all information currently available to the Company on the date of this press release or the date on which such statements are first made. Actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this press release and should consider carefully the factors described in Part I, Item IA "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 , which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov , and in other current or periodic filings with the SEC, when evaluating these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the Company's control. Except as required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lument-finance-trust-inc-declares-quarterly-cash-dividends-for-its-common-and-preferred-stock-and-announces-special-cash-dividend-distribution-302330846.html SOURCE Lument Finance Trust
(The Center Square) – After a few recent recount wins for Republicans in state House races, it is confirmed that Democrats have lost the supermajority in the state House. Yet, on Jan. 8, the first regular session of the 75th General Assembly will open with Democrats still in control of both the state’s Senate and House. “Colorado Democrats held back the red wave that swept much of the country,” the Colorado Democratic Party said in a statement . “We did that by showing up, especially in communities where Democrats aren’t typically competitive. But there’s more to do.” With Democrats also controlling the governor’s seat, the party will have a trifecta in the state. That makes Colorado one of just 15 states with a Democrat trifecta going into 2025. Republicans, on the other hand, will have a trifecta in 23 states. Shad Murib, chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, said that “unusual” campaigning strategies helped Democrats maintain their majorities despite Republican momentum nationwide. “With that refocus on rural Colorado and actually taking a look at counties that have often been left behind ... we found that a little bit goes a long way in some of these communities," Murib said. "So much of the work of politics is really about showing up.” Even though Republicans are still in the minority, they are staying positive going into the 2025 legislative session. “This historic win marks the three seats flipped for the House Republicans this year,” said the Colorado House Republicans after two House Republicans were confirmed to have won their recounts. “We are so excited to welcome them to our House Caucus.” This election marked the first in the past decade that Republicans actually won seats in the state House instead of losing them. Breaking the House supermajority and preventing one in the Senate will also give Republicans more power in the 2025 legislative session. Without a supermajority, Democrats cannot refer constitutional amendments to the ballot without Republican support. It will also prevent potential veto overrides of Gov. Jared Polis, who, though a Democrat, has been labeled a “persistent roadblock” to progressive policies. Ultimately, while the Republicans’ wins will likely not be enough to slow the tide of Democrat policies in the state entirely, it could still lead to more collaboration between the parties, as reported by the publication of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce . “Reducing the number of Democrats ... could have a tangible impact on the kinds of bills coming out of the House.”
Heterogeneous Integration Market Expected to Reach US$10.2 Billion by 2031 - ASE TECHNOLOGY HOLDING, Intel, Etron Technology, EV GroupMy older brother is a New York Jets fan, and we talk after every Miami Dolphins and Jets game. He couldn’t see the game on Sunday, so he just saw the score and how it went to overtime. He said it looked like a typical Dolphins vs. Jets game. I said, “Yes, it was. The Dolphins should have lost the game on Sunday because the Jets were the better team, but the Jets have stupid coaches, and they bailed the Dolphins out.” I was very disappointed in the Dolphins’ defense on Sunday. They were bad, and yes, they had a 5-yard loss and a sack on back-to-back plays on the final possession. Kendall Fuller was able to get Devante Adams out of bounds to keep time on the clock, but for the most part, the Jets’ offense had its way with the Dolphins. It started up front where the Jets don’t have a very good offensive line, but they ran the ball decently against the Dolphins with two rookie running backs drafted late in the draft. The Dolphins were giving up 4 yards a carry, making you wonder why the Jets didn’t keep running it. The Dolphins were missing a tackle and not getting much push up front. Aaron Rodgers picked apart the Dolphins all day long, throwing his first 300-yard game in over two years. Adams and Garrett Wilson looked like the duo the Jets had been looking for all season. The Dolphins had no answers for them. I feel like the Dolphins have more holes than ever on defense, and they are getting labeled as being soft , and it’s more than justified. The Dolphins don’t set the tone up front and get pushed, especially against good teams, but the Jets aren’t even an average team. Our defensive line lacks physicality as a whole and can’t dominate up front. I knew it would be different this year after losing Christian Wilkins , but the Dolphins banked on 38-year-old Calais Campbell and many guys on one-year contracts. Campbell and Zach Seiler have played well, but the other guys don’t give the effort those guys offer. The Dolphins have to find some younger, bigger, and more physical players to compliment Seiler on the defensive line next year, or we are going to see the same issues upfront. The Dolphins also need better linebackers. Yes, Jordan Brooks has played well but missed some tackles on Sunday. Anthony Walker has provided a little spark after moving on from David Long but has durability issues. The Dolphins need to find an inside linebacker who can run sideline to sideline and make tackles—one who doesn’t take bad angles, over-pursue, and miss the ball carrier. It’s been a while since the Dolphins have had that type of linebacker. Instead, they have had undersized guys who aren’t physical enough against the better teams. How many games this year have we seen the Dolphins miss over ten tackles? Too many. That’s why they were overmatched by the Green Bay Packers, and it cost them the game against the Arizona Cardinals on their final drive to win earlier this year. And the safeties are horrible as a group. Jordan Poyer needs to retire because he can’t play anymore, and it is so clear every time you watch him play. He’s not as fast as he used to be, and he is a liability. Jevon Holland is supposed to be our blue-chip safety for years to come, and his contract is up after the season. Well, I would tell him to take a walk after the season because his play has been uninspiring to say the least. He takes bad angle,s and he and Poyer are constantly having communication issues in the secondary. The Dolphins have to tear down that position as well and more physical ball-hawking safeties. I’m not going to place the blame on defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver because it’s an easy cop-out. I blame the person who put this team together, and that’s general manager Chris Grier. I don’t know why he thought this defense would be good signing older players and a bunch of scrap-free agents to one-year deals. He should have done a better job last offseason. If he returns next year, this team currently has ten draft pick,s and he needs to use at least half of them to rebuild this defense. It needs to get younger, and it needs players that are tough-minded and physical. This group as a whole doesn’t have it. They also need to get faster. I understand the Dolphins went into the season without their top pass rushers from a season ago coming off season-ending injuries, but that’s on Grier for not stocking up the defense better. This side of the ball went through change with free-agent losses, and it needs more change next year. If they don’t, then it’s going to be the same soft defense. You can change the defensive coordinator, but that would be lazy putting lipstick on the pig. If the Dolphins want to shed the soft label on defense, go find more tough-minded players. McDaniel Probably Isn’t Getting Fired; But He Better Have a Strong December
A federal judge in Oregon blocked Kroger’s proposed $25 billion tie-up with Albertsons, ruling that the largest merger in US supermarket history would limit competition and harm consumers. The ruling is a major setback for the chains and puts the merger’s likelihood in jeopardy. Neither company immediately commented following the ruling. The merger, announced in 2022, sought to combine the fifth and tenth largest retailers in the country. The companies own dozens of grocery chains, including Safeway, Vons, Harris Teeter and Fred Meyer. Supermarkets have been losing ground in recent decades to competition, and Kroger and Albertsons wanted to merge to better fight off Walmart and Amazon. Kroger and Albertsons employ mostly unionized workforces and said they wanted to merge to be more competitive against non-union giants such as Walmart, Amazon and Costco. The grocers also face increased pressure from Aldi, the fast-growing German discount supermarket chain. The merger would accelerate “our position as a more compelling alternative to larger and non-union competitors,” Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen said when the deal was announced in 2022 . Kroger committed to lowering grocery prices by $1 billion following the merger. But Judge Adrienne Nelson rejected that argument. In her ruling, she said that supermarkets are “distinct from other grocery retailers” and are not direct competitors to Walmart, Amazon and other companies that sell a wider range of goods. The merger would eliminate head-to-head competition between Albertsons and Kroger, potentially raising prices for consumers, she said in the ruling. High grocery prices helped scuttle the deal Inflation at the grocery store loomed over the proposed merger. The proposal came as food prices skyrocketed and met stiff opposition. Unions, small grocers and a coalition of Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill, including Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, also strongly opposed the merger from the start. The Federal Trade Commission in February sued to block the deal . The FTC said the merger will “result in higher grocery prices for millions of Americans and lower wages and benefits for hundreds of thousands of grocery workers.” To allay competition concerns, Kroger and Albertsons agreed to divest 579 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers. But the FTC said C&S was “ill-equipped” to run the divested stores and it could turn into a “non-functioning disaster.” Judge Nelson agreed with the FTC: “There is ample evidence that the divestiture is not sufficient in scale to adequately compete” with Kroger and Albertsons together and “will significantly disadvantage C&S as a competitor,” she said in the ruling. The case was watched closely because of its implications for future antitrust enforcement and corporate dealmaking. The FTC under outgoing chair Lina Khan has also launched landmark antitrust suits against Google , Amazon and other tech giants. Small grocery stores struggling Independent grocery stores strongly opposed the merger. They argued that the merger would increase the companies’ leverage with merchandise suppliers and leave independent stores unable to stock their own shelves. Yet consolidation in the grocery sector is growing, and small grocery stores are struggling. In 2019, the 20 largest retailers controlled 64% of total food sales, more than double the share from 1990, according to the Agriculture Department. Traditional grocery stores have also lost ground to Walmart, Costco, dollar stores and online retailers during that span. The share of grocery spending at traditional supermarkets dropped from 80% in 1990 to 62% in 2012, according to the Agriculture Department. Advocates of stricter antitrust rules cheered Judge Nelson’s decision. “Persistently high food prices are hitting Americans hard, and a Kroger-Albertsons mega-merger would have only made it worse,” Food & Water Watch senior food policy analyst Rebecca Wolf said in a statement Tuesday'Emilia Pérez' leads Golden Globe nominations with 10, followed by 'The Brutalist' and 'Conclave'
November 24 - Honest and critical yet hopeful and optimistic -- that's how the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are viewing their current predicament. The Panthers, who are set to host the Washington Capitals on Monday night in Sunrise, are 1-5-0 over their past six games. "We're struggling right now," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. "We have a structure we need to play, and we're not far off. But we have some execution challenges." Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk said Florida needs to impose its will on teams in much the way it was done in the drive for the 2024 Stanley Cup. "There shouldn't be any more waiting around," he said. "We have to commit to doing it, and it's not an easy style. It's hard to do for 82-plus games, but that's what makes us successful." On the positive side, the Panthers have center Sam Reinhart, whose 13-game points streak is the longest this season by any NHL player. It's also tied for the second-longest streak by a Panthers player, and it's just four games away from tying Mike Hoffman's franchise record, set in 2018-19. Reinhart has 11 goals and eight assists during this streak, and he's tied for the NHL lead with 16 goals this season. However, Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky allowed a season-high six goals on Saturday in a 7-4 loss to Colorado. For the season, Bobrovsky is 9-5-1 with a 3.18 goals-against average. That is not up to his standards, which include a 2.60 career GAA and a 2.37 GAA last season. Backup goalie Spencer Knight is 3-3-0 with a 2.72 GAA. Florida's first-round pick in 2019, Knight has made 64 NHL appearances in four years, including 55 starts, and he is 35-20-6 with a 2.89 GAA. But even with all of that, the Panthers are still in second place in the Atlantic Division with 25 points, and the Capitals -- despite two straight losses -- are in third in the Metropolitan Division with 27 points. The Capitals are coming off a 3-2 home loss on Saturday to the New Jersey Devils. "It's frustrating to lose back to back," Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren said. Lindgren is 5-5-0 with a 2.64 GAA. Co-starter Logan Thompson, acquired in a trade in June with Vegas, is 8-1-1 with a 2.58 GAA. Both are undrafted players making $1 million or less this season. Three of the higher-paid Capitals players are all on injured reserve -- forwards Alex Ovechkin (leg); Nicklas Backstrom (hip); and T.J. Oshie (back). Backstrom and Oshie haven't played this season, but Ovechkin has 15 goals and 10 assists in 18 games. Dylan Strome leads Washington in assists (22) and points (28). Last season, the Capitals ranked 31st in the NHL in goals by defensemen (20). This season, they already have 11 in 20 games thanks in part to the additions of Jakob Chychrun (five) and Matt Roy (one). Roy was given a six-year contract, and Chychrun was acquired in a trade with Ottawa. They join two-time All-Star John Carlson and former first-rounder Rasmus Sandin in a suddenly improved defense. Offensively, Washington, which ranked 28th in scoring last year, added forwards Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Mangiapane, Brandon Duhaime and Taylor Raddysh. Those four have combined to score 13 goals so far this season, and Washington is tied for first in the NHL with 4.05 goals per game. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab
Most Gulf markets gain on oil; Egypt fallsSVG Summit Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 2 Devlin Design Group is an award-winning, global full-service broadcast scenic and lighting design firm. Services include set design, virtual sets, lighting design and direction, lighting equipment, fabrication, solutions from concept to fabrication to air. We create exceptional visual storytelling environments with flexibility and function. DDG’s winning strategy... engaging your fans.
girlfriend, , appears to have confirmed the 72-year-old will head to college football after links emerged that he would be joining the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. Reports said that the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach could be the option to replace overnight but were tipped as unlikely, until the 24-year-old seemed to hint at their truth via social media. began following several accounts affiliated with the Tar Heels program on Instagram, going far beyond what a typical fan would do by even following the UNC football nutrition account. So her actions appear to have given validity after he claimed the former New England Patriot served up a 400-page dossier about how he would run the Athletics, described as a "bible" by the Guardian reporter. " handed the school a 400-page organizational bible," posted to X.com, formerly Twitter. "With structure, payment plans, staffing choices, etc. "The University of North Carolina is expected to make its decision within the next 24 hours." Belichick's shocking move The switch would come as a shock to even those close to the coach, with all previously suggesting he wouldn't pick up a job a step below the NFL. After spending over two decades proving himself at the top of the professional football scene, had closed in on the all-time record for most wins in the NFL but now this switch could see him put that quest to bed. He is currently 16 wins behind for second and 26 wins behind for top of the pile. is the most winningest postseason manager of all-time, but that is coming under pressure from the Kansas City Chiefs' Andy Reid. The 66-year-old reigning champion is on 26 wins and just five behind the ex-Patriot, with the Chiefs having already qualified for the 2024/25 postseason.
Cyber Threats In 2025: Cybersecurity Experts Reveal Most Critical Threats
UK PM Starmer promises 'radical reforms' to tackle social spendingTHE barmy £1 trillion Neom project in Saudi Arabia has revealed its newest addition of a vast hollow skyscraper. Despite unveiling new ultra-luxurious hotels, restaurants and yacht marinas on the daily, the Neom project has been exposed for the deaths of over 21,000 workers since it began. Advertisement 7 The new planned skyscraper at the Zardun site Credit: NEOM 7 Zardun spans a whopping four square kilometres Credit: NEOM 7 The site is on the Northwest of Saudi Arabia Credit: NEOM The newly revealed luxury development plans on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, dubbed Zardun, is made up of four buildings and looks to provide a so-called "peaceful" retreat for guests. Despite its pledge to bring tranquillity, some visitors may think this is hard to find knowing it could have been the place where thousands of workers died under dangerous and inhumane working conditions. Zardun spans a whopping four square kilometres, set on a restored semi-desert landscape. It sports angular sections within the middle of the skyscraper which is said to draw influence from the changing natural landscape around it. Advertisement read more world news EGO TRIP Saudi’s NEOM megaproject boss sacked after ‘threatening to BURY worker in desert’ NEOM BEGINNINGS First part of Saudi's £1tn mega-project Neom COMPLETE as resort opens doors Among the hollow skyscraper are three other architectural compounds which will all total 100 rooms and suites for big spenders as well as an experience centre. And for guests it will offer trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing, among various other sports and leisure. But the dark underbelly of the location imagines bloodshed and slaves. Zardun is part of Magna - one of Neom's mega regions. Advertisement Most read in The Sun LAST WORDS Mum wrote 'I was murdered' before she 'took own life after years abuse from ex' Gossip GELD STAR Rangers 'keen to land Championship star labelled human wrecking ball in January' HOOLIGAN BAN Gers thug sentenced over incident that saw female St Johnstone employee pushed DEVASTATING Tragic Scots TikTok star, 27, who survived crash which killed friend found dead Other regions included in the heavily criticised project include Trojena, The Line, Sindalah and Oxagon. Despite human life not seeming to be considered, the plans say they have so-called "environmental stewardship" in mind. EGO TRIP Saudi Arabia insists first part of $500bn NEOM Megacity WILL be open this year with ultra-lux island resort It is said to accommodate various habitats and make it easier to reintroduce native plants, animals and tree species to the landscape. The Saudi government's focus on the luxury market is said to be an attempt to distinguish itself from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Advertisement But with serious allegations of missed payments, illegal working hours and a number of clear human rights violations made, the future success of the mega-project is unclear. 21,000 worker deaths have occurred in the years since the Crown Prince launched the project, shocking statistics claim. Staff have complained of feeling like "trapped slaves" and "beggars" in the country. Serious allegations of missed payments, working illegal hours and a number of clear human rights violations have all been made. Advertisement The first part of Saudia Arabia's £1 trillion Neom project was complete in October - with a luxurious Red Sea resort opening its doors to the world's elite. Terrified workers and the heartbroken family members of workers who have died since moving to Saudi have revealed the horrors they've faced in recent years in ITV's latest expose. Dubbed "Kingdom Uncovered: Inside Saudi Arabia" the documentary speaks on the deadly issues experienced firsthand for many. It goes inside the illegal practices and terrible violations many say are being committed each day under the guise of constructing some of the world's priciest building projects. Advertisement Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , has been at the forefront of trying to develop the oil state into a global tourism hub. 7 It looks to bizarrely bring peace to visitors Credit: NEOM 7 The visitor center pictured Credit: NEOM 7 It sports angular sections within the middle of the skyscraper Credit: NEOM Advertisement He has splashed trillions to create his Saudi Vision 2030 project which features complexes sch as the flagship NEOM which includes fantasy ideas such as The Line. Despite the luxury plans for the ambitious builds human rights groups have expressed many concerns over the massive construction plans . With fears that migrant labour will be exploited and many locals would be displaced. Saudi Arabia has also been hit with serious allegations claiming a significant number of migrants working in construction have disappeared. Advertisement Emerging reports allege that as many as 100,000 migrant workers have gone missing during the construction of Neom. One worker revealed in the documentary that he is often made to work 16-hour days helping to build a high-speed train tunnel for The Line. Read more on the Scottish Sun REY-LY EXCITING US pop superstar announces first Scots show in almost 10 years BALLSED UP Lorraine apologises on air for using phrase she 'didn't know' was a swear word Over just one seven-day week the worker says he can do upwards of 84 hours. Saudi law strictly states that no one should do more than 60 hours a week. Advertisement Top 5 blunders plaguing NEOM project BY Juliana Cruz Lima, Foreign News Reporter Saudi Arabia's NEOM project, despite its ambitious vision, has been criticized for several major blunders that have raised concerns about its feasibility, ethics, and overall execution. Here are the top five major blunders associated with the project: Forced Displacement of Indigenous Communities : One of the most significant controversies surrounding NEOM is the forced displacement of the Huwaitat tribe. This indigenous community, which has lived in the area for centuries, was forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to make way for the development of the mega-city. The Saudi government's crackdown on those who resisted, including the killing of a tribal leader, Abdul Rahim al-Howeiti, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organisations. This blunder not only sparked international outrage but also tainted NEOM's image as a forward-thinking, humane project. Environmental Impact and Sustainability Concerns : NEOM has been marketed as an environmentally sustainable city, but the environmental impact of such a massive development is a major concern. The project's scale—covering over 26,500 square kilometers—poses significant risks to local ecosystems, particularly in the Red Sea, which is home to rich marine biodiversity. Critics argue that the construction of artificial islands and extensive urbanisation could lead to irreversible ecological damage. The enormous water and energy demands required to maintain a green city in the desert also raise questions about the project's sustainability. Economic Viability and Cost Overruns : NEOM is one of the most expensive development projects in history. But there are serious doubts about its economic viability. Critics question whether the project can attract the necessary foreign investment and whether it will generate sufficient returns to justify the enormous expenditure. The economic risks are further compounded by potential cost overruns and delays, which are common in megaprojects of this scale. This financial gamble has led some to worry that NEOM could become a costly white elephant if it fails to meet its ambitious goals. Technological Overreach and Ethical Concerns : NEOM is envisioned as a high-tech city, heavily reliant on artificial intelligence, robotics, and extensive surveillance systems. While this technological ambition is central to NEOM's identity, it also raises significant ethical concerns. The level of surveillance planned for the city could lead to unprecedented control over residents' lives, sparking fears about privacy and civil liberties. The lack of transparency about how AI will be used, coupled with concerns about job displacement, has also led to criticism that NEOM’s technological vision may be more dystopian than utopian. Cultural and Social Disconnect : NEOM’s vision of a futuristic, liberalized society clashes sharply with Saudi Arabia's deeply conservative cultural norms. The project plans to introduce mixed-gender sports, entertainment events, and other liberal lifestyle elements that are rare in the kingdom. This cultural shift has raised concerns about a potential clash between NEOM's globalised vision and the traditional values of Saudi society. The disconnect between the project's ambitions and the broader cultural context has led to skepticism about whether NEOM can truly integrate into Saudi Arabia's social fabric without causing significant friction. 7 Pictured: The Line (concept image) - a smart city NEOM project under construction in Saudi ArabiaWith technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic. last weekend helped propel the Orlando Pride into Saturday's National Women's Soccer League championship game against the Washington Spirit. Barbra Banda also scored in . While Banda has had an incredible first season with the Pride, captain Marta has been the talisman that has helped lead the team in its remarkable turnaround this year. The last time the Pride were in the NWSL playoffs was in 2017 — Marta's first year with the club. But this season they nearly went undefeated, going 23 games without a loss to start the season with just two regular-season games left. “I think because of the way that we did it, during this season, from beginning to now, it’s something very special that I’ve never had before with any other club that I’ve played for," Marta said. "Plus year by year, we see in America, strong competition. This is the best league in the world. And you never know what’s going to happen, and it’s hard to keep winning the games, being in the first place almost like the whole season. That’s why it’s really different and so special.” Marta’s goal was the latest gasp-inducing moment in a stellar career filled with them. Known by just her first name, the 38-year-old is a six-time FIFA world player of the year. "Let's see if tomorrow I can do something similar — or even better," Marta said on Friday. Her teammate Kylie Strom chimed in: “That was the greatest goal I've ever witnessed, hands down." Appropriate. Earlier this year, FIFA announced that the best goal in women's soccer each year would earn the Marta Award. In a lighthearted moment the day before the title match, Marta was asked if she thought it was possible she might give the award to herself. “You guys need to decide, because who votes for the best goal in the year? It’s you. It’s the people in the public. So it should be really interesting, like Marta’s Award goes to Marta!” she said with a laugh. Marta has played in six World Cups for Brazil and played this summer in her sixth Olympics, . She previously said this would be her final year with the national team. But since then Brazil was named the host of the 2027 Women's World Cup. "I had a conversation with my coach, the national team coach, and I was really clear about playing in 2027. I told him it’s not my goal anymore,” she said. “But I’m always available to help the national team. And if they think I still can do something during this preparation for the World Cup, yeah, I would be happy to help them." Marta's club career started in Brazil when she was just 16. She has also played in Sweden and in the U.S. professional women's leagues that came before the NWSL. With nine regular-season goals, Marta has had one of her best seasons since she joined the Pride. “I can never pick a side, I never pick favorites — but I love to see this for Marta," U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Marta is someone we all like, admire and are grateful for. And that goal was just like prime Marta at her best. And so grateful for and thankful for her that she got the opportunity with another game with her team.” The Pride went 18-2-6 this season, clinching the NWSL Shield for the first trophy in club history. Orlando also set a record with 60 regular-season points to finish atop the standings. “We are sitting top of the table, but I think there still are a lot of doubters. I think there’s people out there who say, maybe this was a one-off season,” Strom said. “But we’re here to prove them all wrong. So I think we do carry a bit of that underdog mentality still with us.” The second-seeded Spirit advanced to the title match at Kansas City's CPKC Stadium last weekend on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw against defending champions Gotham FC. The Spirit's roster includes Trinity Rodman, a standout forward who formed the so-called “Triple Espresso” trio with Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith for the United States at the Olympics. AP soccer:
AI in Games Market to grow by USD 4.5 Billion from 2024-2028, fueled by rising adoption of AR and VR games, Report on AI-driven market evolution - Technavio
Police report reveals assault allegations against Hegseth, Trump's pick for defense secretaryPegasystems stock soars to 52-week high of $91.58