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lottery post Tyrese Maxey, 76ers host Clippers in matchup of short-handed squadsJimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100

By MICHELLE L. PRICE WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer’s comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.” Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump’s world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world’s richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump’s movement but his stance on the tech industry’s hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent,” he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Related Articles National Politics | Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns Trump’s own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump’s businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country” and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country,” he told the “All-In” podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump’s budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.For more than 30 years, a man known as Roger A. Pearce Jr. worked as a prosperous land-use and zoning attorney in Oregon and Washington. He represented some of the Pacific Northwest’s most prominent people and businesses and took on high-profile projects. He served on planning commissions, nonprofit boards and racked up hours doing pro bono legal work. He and his wife retired to a $1.4 million condo on Seattle’s Lake Washington. By all accounts, the now-77-year-old had made a good name for himself. Except one thing: Roger Pearce wasn’t actually his name. It belonged to a baby who died in Vermont in 1952. Pearce stole the identity when he was in his early 20s and looking to leave his troubles behind — college dropout, check fraud, a failed marriage. The State Department unmasked him only in 2022 during a review of one of his applications for a new passport. Federal workers detected that he had applied for a new Social Security number as an adult — a red flag. But they still couldn’t figure out who he truly was. So prosecutors last year indicted the man in federal court in Oregon as “John Doe,” charging him with making a false statement in an application for a passport, a felony. He was arrested last year on a warrant in Washington. When he pleaded guilty three months ago to an identity fraud misdemeanor, the courtroom deputy, at the judge’s behest, asked him to state his name for the record. “My birth name was Willie Ragan Casper Jr.,” he said, marking the first time since his arrest that he gave his real name under oath. “The name I’ve gone under and been known as for the last over 50 years is Roger Alfred Pearce Jr.” When he stood Wednesday in Portland to receive his sentence, he offered an explanation for his decades of duplicity. “I really wanted to start over,” he said. ‘I felt the failure’ Casper was born in Jackson, Mississippi, in December 1946, the older of two boys. He seized an opportunity to leave his hometown to attend Rice University in Texas but wasn’t prepared for the rigor of the classes and dropped out. An early marriage ended around the same time. Then Casper got involved in fraud, writing checks on a bank account with no money in what he called a “fairly naive” anti-war protest against banks during the Vietnam War era, he said. “I was a young person, confused, depressed. I felt the failure,” he said in court, reading in a steady voice from an open binder resting on the defense table in front of him. Casper, tall, slim and white-haired, sat upright beside his lawyer. He wore a black blazer and gray slacks, a white shirt and a black tie that he adjusted just before the judge arrived on the bench. He looked every bit the experienced lawyer he typically portrayed in court during his three-decade-long career, even engaging in small talk with the prosecutor before the hearing began. “I was ashamed that I had wasted a lot of my parents’ money supporting me in a distant city they couldn’t really afford,” Casper said. “My marriage had fallen apart. I had no real career prospects.” He said he also was worried about getting arrested for his check-kiting. A friend had been caught renting a car with a false ID and police had come to the house they shared. He wasn’t home at the time but feared police would return, looking for him. He spoke for about six minutes as his wife sat in the front row behind him in the public gallery. A psychologist who evaluated Casper and submitted a sealed report to the judge was present by video but didn’t speak. Casper said he stayed another six weeks in Houston and then fled. He also changed his identity. “I wanted to start over with a clean slate,” he said. “I felt like everything was at a dead end for me there in Texas.” In 1971, he stole the name of a dead child using the baby’s birth certificate. It’s unclear who gave him the certificate or if he paid for it, but his lawyer said birth certificates were apparently easy to come by during the anti-Vietnam era as others used them to try to evade the draft. Two years later, when he was in his late 20s, he applied for a Social Security number in the name of Roger Alfred Pearce Jr., using the dead baby’s birth certificate. Casper first went to Montana, then to Oregon, where he had some friends in Eugene. “The decision to change my name at that time was foolish, of course. At the time, I viewed it as a clean break from the past,” he said. I was also naive and in love with grand gestures, like some young people are.” He found work and took classes at Lane Community College in the early 1970s, records show. He made new friends, he said. “I crawled out of being depressed and within a few years, that new name was absolutely normal to me,” he told the judge. “After that, I have never thought of myself as other than Roger Pearce.” He did a stint as a dancer and singer in New York before ending up in Seattle, working for a bakery and then got the idea to go to law school, according to his lawyer. He enrolled in what was then the University of Puget Sound law school in Tacoma without a college degree, graduating in his mid-40s as the first in his class, summa cum laude in May 1991, according to his lawyer. He went on to a successful career with the Seattle-based firm Foster Pepper LLC, representing Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s Vulcan development company and serving as a lawyer for the Seattle Monorail Popular Authority. In 2014, he was admitted to the Oregon State Bar, later moved back to Oregon and opened Pearce Law in Ashland. He served as chair of Ashland’s planning commission and as a Jackson County hearings officer. He also was secretary of the Rotary Club of Ashland and secretary of the Ashland New Plays Association. ‘False pretenses’ His façade cracked in 2022 when the State Department discovered an unresolved irregularity in his Social Security number. When Casper had gotten his fraudulent number, technology wasn’t available to track the birth certificate he submitted back to a dead child. But the federal government now has fraud detection that screens passport applications of people who received Social Security numbers as adults. Late-issued Social Security numbers strongly correlate to fraud, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan D. Knight wrote in his sentencing memo. The State Department’s screening has caught members of the mafia and other criminals trying to avoid detection. This time, it caught Casper. He had applied for a U.S. passport in 1991 and then renewed it twice more — in 2003 and May 2013 in Ashland. His applications got flagged as suspicious. State Department investigators then confirmed the Pearce name he was using was of someone who had died and had been submitted illegally to get a passport. But they couldn’t figure out his true name — only that the man claiming to be Pearce lived in Oregon and Washington and had been practicing law since 1991. “This is a case, from a criminal perspective, more about who the defendant is not, than who he is,” Knight said. In January 2023, a federal grand jury in Oregon returned a one-count indictment charging “John Doe” with making a false statement on his passport application and he was arrested in Seattle. In a plea deal in August, Casper pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of producing an identification document without lawful authority. The maximum penalty is a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. Prosecutors had weighed his “sustained act of deception” with his “otherwise law-abiding existence” and “fundamental decency,” Knight said. When defense lawyer Janet Lee Hoffman tried to explain at the plea hearing that Casper had pursued an illustrious legal career, the judge hastened to interject. “Under false pretenses,” U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon pointed out. ‘Choice that few receive’ At the start of sentencing Wednesday, Simon asked, “Do you want me to refer to your client as Mr. Pearce, Mr. Doe or Mr. Casper.” Hoffman said Pearce. She sought a year of probation for her client, but the prosecutor recommended two years. “Every person is responsible for and owns their own history and really the shadow that that casts and the consequences that ultimately may bear out,” Knight said. “The defendant’s choice in this case really is an abdication of that basic principle.” Many people come before the court who would have liked the option Casper took to start anew and leave their past behind, Knight said. “He availed himself of a choice that few receive, and that’s why we’re here today,” he said. Hoffman said the defendant lived a model life under his new identity. “Roger had a stellar career and enhanced each community that he lived in and the lives of everyone he touched,” she said. The judge said he considered Casper’s statement, the psychologist’s evaluation and letters from his wife and from Elisabeth Ann Zinser, a retired Southern Oregon University president who had known him for 10 years. Simon noted that Casper’s wife – Julie Benezet, a Seattle finance lawyer and author – hadn’t said in her letter if she knew of her husband’s long deception. He asked if Casper would say. Casper demurred, replying, “I prefer not to answer,” while acknowledging that he didn’t expect the government to prosecute his wife for fraud. He also said they have a “really wonderful marriage.” Simon said he was troubled that no one had delved into the real Roger Pearce Jr. Based on a photo in the court documents, he noted that the baby’s gravestone indicated he had lived six months and nine days. “It must be tough for a parent to lose a baby after six months, and it would only be worse if they ever knew or learned that someone else falsely took that baby’s name,” Simon said. Knight told the judge that the baby’s parents had both died. Simon then adopted the prosecutor’s recommendation and sentenced Casper to two years of probation. Casper must now relinquish his licenses to practice law in Oregon and Washington and never reapply to practice law. He also faces an Oregon State Bar disciplinary investigation. He is barred from getting a new piece of identification, whether it’s a driver’s license or Social Security number, in any name other than his legal name. But Casper said he intends to legally change his name to Roger Alfred Pearce Jr. soon, making the prohibition moot. “He will always be Roger Pearce,” his lawyer said after court. ‘Still in shock’ The actual Roger Alfred Pearce Jr. was born in Montpellier, Vermont, in September 1951 and died March 11, 1952. A younger sister, Dawn Hyttinen, now 51, said she believes her brother died of meningitis. He was the first born of seven children, she said. Their mother died in 2016 and father died in 2020, she said. “I grew up hearing about him,” she said. She said her father didn’t talk about the baby, but her mother always did. But she said no one in her family was told that someone had stolen her brother’s identity or was living under his name. “This is just absolutely crazy,” she said. “I’m flabbergasted.” Government investigators couldn’t find any living relatives of the boy, prosecutors said in court records, but an Oregonian/OregonLive reporter found Hyttinen in Arizona. She said she’s very curious about Casper and how he ended up using her brother’s identity. “I’m still in shock,’’ she said. The same is true for the family that Casper left behind. “He’s alive?!” a stunned Justin Casper blurted when contacted by The Oregonian/OregonLive. He’s the son of Casper’s younger brother, Dr. Robert Casper, now 72. “This is the first I’ve heard anything about him,” said Justin Casper, who lives in Arkansas. “We didn’t have a good answer as to what really happened to him. He’s my dad’s long lost brother.” He said he had heard his uncle had some problem with credit card fraud. “He just kind of left. He took off and never said where he was going. He never had any contact with his family again,” Justin Casper said. “I thought he was dead.” In a coincidence, Justin Casper had tried about six months ago to track down his uncle for his dad but couldn’t find anything online about him and was thinking of hiring a private investigator. He said his father hasn’t talked much about his older brother through the years. “I think it hurt him too much,” Justin Casper said. Now, the nephew is eager to learn what happened. “Why? What in the world? I’m happy that he’s alive,” he said. “Maybe we can reconnect with him, though it’ll be an awkward conversation.” Another chance In the months since his arrest, Willie Casper said he has had to face his past. He’s had difficult and emotional conversations with colleagues and friends about what he did but said they’ve been supportive. “I didn’t forget my birth name. I didn’t forget my early history,” he said in court. “I think I just literally compartmentalized it because it wasn’t relevant to my day-to-day life.” He added matter of factly: “I was Roger Pearce.” As he’s reflected on his identity, he said he feels good about what he’s accomplished: “I contributed to my community. I think I’ve helped raise a wonderful daughter.” At the same time, he can’t shake his true past. “I’ve also had an opportunity to think about what I’ve walked away from and lost,” he said. At the time he changed his name, he said he was “disengaged and estranged” from his birth family. His parents didn’t understand his anti-war sentiment, his lawyer said. “I really never got back in touch with them,” Casper said. But now, he said, he would be willing to contact his younger brother. He hasn’t seen him in over 50 years. “Perhaps paradoxically,” he said, “this prosecution may give me the chance to recover some of what I’ve lost.”

NEW DELHI: The finance ministry has told Parliament that the Centre's thrust is on improving the quality of public spending, while strengthening the social security net for the poor and needy. In the statement on deviation from the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act targets, the ministry also said that govt remained committed to pursue the glide path for fiscal consolidation and it will lower fiscal deficit to under 4.5% by next financial year. It said since July, when the regular budget was presented, the global economic environment has become gloomier due to further escalation of conflict. "Given the prevailing global economic and security environment, it is necessary for govt to retain (a) fair degree of flexibility in conducting its fiscal policy so as to be able to respond to any fallout from adverse global events," the ministry said in the nine-page document. Pointing to the numbers on non-debt receipts, fiscal deficit and revenue deficit during the first half of the current financial year, the ministry said the numbers were within the limits prescribed under FRBM rules. While revenue receipts (51.8% of budget estimates) were higher than the five-year moving average, total receipts (43.8%) of the govt were lower. Expenditure was also below the five-year moving average, resulting in the first half fiscal deficit being 29.4% of budget estimate against the five-year moving average of 63.8%. The comment on the quality of expenditure ties in with govt's efforts to focus on higher capex in recent years and cut on wasteful expenditure, besides targeting subsidies better. Even in the next budget, the Centre is expected to retain the emphasis on its spending pattern. Ready to Master Stock Valuation? ET’s Workshop is just around the corner!Drug policy and harm reduction organizations are celebrating a small victory after the province repealed Bill 34 last week. Bill 34, the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, would have rolled back the freedoms granted under British Columbia’s decriminalization pilot project. Decriminalization lets people 18 and older carry a combined total of 2.5 grams of opioids, crack and powder cocaine, meth and MDMA for personal use. The pilot project does not allow people to use drugs near children, for example schools or child-care facilities, or in airports or cars. Following public outcry to a perceived increase in public drug use, the province introduced Bill 34 in November 2023, which further limited where people could publicly use drugs and gave police additional powers to police people using drugs, or who they suspected of having done so in the past. But the bill was never implemented. The non-profit Harm Reduction Nurses Association fought Bill 34, arguing it would push people to use drugs alone thereby increasing their risk of dying of overdose. Unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death in B.C. for people aged 10 to 59, with more people dying from drug poisoning than from homicide, suicide, accidents and natural disease combined. In late December 2023 a Supreme Court of BC justice granted an injunction, agreeing with the Harm Reduction Nurses Association that the bill would cause “irreparable harms,” by isolating people who use drugs and saying it needed to assess whether the bill violated Charter rights. Before the Supreme Court of BC could complete its assessment, the province repealed the bill. The Tyee reached out to the province for comment about the court case, the repeal of the bill, and to respond to criticism from advocates late Friday, but did not hear back by press time Monday, given holiday hours and the tight turnaround. In an April press release, then-minister of public safety and solicitor general Mike Farnworth said the province was balancing the rolling back of decriminalization of public drug use with expanding access to treatment. In a Dec. 19 press release, the new Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Garry Begg said, “Decriminalizing the possession of a small amount of certain illegal drugs for personal use is a life-saving measure and one action the province is taking to address the toxic-drug crisis. This must be balanced with the needs of people who want to enjoy community spaces, parks and local businesses without encountering open drug use.” Only a small victory Repealing the legislation is only a “small” victory because the province found another way to introduce some its policies, says DJ Larkin, executive director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition. Larkin says these polices are harmful to people who use drugs. In April 2024 the B.C. government asked Health Canada to amend the decriminalization pilot project, banning public drug use so that the only places it is allowed is overdose prevention sites, private residences and legal tenting spaces for unhoused folks. Sarah Lovegrove, vice-president of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association, dubs this “recriminalization.” The only difference between the decriminalization amendment and Bill 34 is that it didn’t give police enhanced powers to arrest people for drug use or suspected drug use, she said. “It represents a small victory over laws and policies that are disproportionately harming people and targeting specific communities at risk of toxic drug poisoning,” she added. Lovegrove characterizes the amendment as an “egregious side stepping of court proceedings.” The province was able to take the drug policies the courts said would cause irreparable harm and ask Health Canada to implement them instead of doing it through its own legislation, she said. “From a public policy perspective, it is very concerning that government would avoid [the courts] by recreating those harms through another means,” said Larkin. Larkin, who is also a lawyer, says this move by the province was “quite unique” and compared it to enacting the notwithstanding clause. “Going around a court decision like this is a real sign the government is acting in a way that is not respectful of the court’s decision and not respectful of the evidence of the harms this policy creates,” they said. “When a court says this law could do irreparable harm, that is not an activist statement. It is merely the court saying, ‘this is what the evidence shows me,’” they said. “Governments need to take heed of that.” Pop-up OPS returning to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital It’s good that discretionary police powers weren’t expanded further because people who use drugs already have to navigate widely varying responses between police officers or police forces, said Dr. Ryan Herriot, a spokesperson for Doctors for Safer Drug Policy and a family and addictions medicine doctor in Victoria. In November the organization set up two unsanctioned overdose prevention sites near Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. The responses to these two unsanctioned sites are illustrative in terms of the varying responses between police forces. While an unsanctioned overdose prevention site was able to run as planned in Nanaimo, it hit a snag in Victoria, where volunteers were told to take down a tent and said people were not allowed to use drugs in the area. Ultimately what is driving toxic drug deaths is a toxic drug supply, stigma and isolation, Lovegrove said. “None of these factors are solved by criminalization and the emergency is being made infinitely worse by these colliding housing and affordability crises.” “We need real solutions that are driven by evidence and not politics,” she added. Lovegrove says that a group of 13 non-profits, including the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users and the Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society, have applied for a judicial review on the province’s decision to amend its decriminalization project. Herriot says Doctors for Safer Drug Policy will also be back with more pop-up overdose prevention sites near the Nanaimo Hospital on Dec. 28, and from Jan. 4 to 7. More pop-up overdose prevention sites might be coming to other hospitals across B.C. and Canada. Herriot says they’ve had around 20 groups reach out and ask how they could set up their own local overdose prevention site.( MENAFN - AFP) Asia Stocks mostly fell in thin holiday trade on Monday after tech losses killed off the traditional year-end lift on Wall Street at the end of last week. The "Santa Claus rally" got off to a good start but US stocks then fell across the board on Friday, with the S&P 500 and the nasdaq both dropping more than one percent. Tech stocks led the way, with Elon Musk's electric car giant Tesla closing around five percent lower and AI chipmaker Nvidia shedding around two percent. Weighing on investor sentiment were worries about the pace of US interest rate cuts and possible higher import tariffs under incoming US president Donald Trump. "As US stock markets concluded with a downturn on Friday, Asia-Pacific markets are bracing for a slippery penultimate trading day of 2024," said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management. "With US (bond) yields climbing and liquidity essentially non-existent, there's always the potential for outsized moves. This comes during a critical phase of year-end rebalancing, intensified by hefty equity positions across portfolios," Innes said in a note. In Tokyo, the Nikkei was down 0.75 percent at 40,020.00 points on the last day of trading until January 6. The yen was little changed after hitting 158.08 against the dollar on Thursday, the lowest in almost six months. That came after Bank of Japan governor Kazuo Ueda failed to give a clear signal on a possible interest rate increase next month. In Seoul, Jeju Air shares tumbled more than eight percent after one of its planes crashed in South Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board. South Korea's transport ministry said on Monday it was "reviewing plans to conduct a special inspection on (Boeing) B737-800 aircraft" after the crash. South Korea was also hit with further political turmoil, with authorities issuing an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon briefly imposed martial law this month and was then impeachment by parliament. Lawmakers also impeached his acting successor Han Duck-soo last week. Chinese stocks also opened lower on Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.09 percent at 3,397.12. China's purchasing managers' index (PMI) for manufacturing was due on Tuesday. The reading was expected to stay at 50.3, above the 50 line dividing expansion and contraction, according to Bloomberg. - Key figures around 0300 GMT - Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.75 percent at 40,020.00 points Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.40 percent at 20,001.00 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,397.12 Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0423 from $1.0429 on Friday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2577 from $1.2579 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 157.82 yen from 157.89 yen Euro/pound: UP at 82.88 pence from 82.87 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP at $70.63 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP at $74.23 per barrel MENAFN29122024000143011026ID1109040187 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Chilliwack left 'high and dry' by province with stalled shelter project: councillor

An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump’s political coalition

Perhaps the state's solons have skimmed enough headlines in recent years to finally stick a thumb or two on the lopsided scales of justice. One story reported on the then-editor of the Albuquerque Journal serving 10 days in jail after pleading guilty to shoplifting $104 in merchandise from a Walmart. An earlier piece told of then-state Sen. Richard Martinez receiving a five-day jail sentence after seriously injuring two people in a car crash. State District Judge Francis Mathew convicted Martinez of reckless driving and aggravated drunken driving. Martinez, D-Ojo Caliente, could have been jailed for as long as 180 days for his two crimes, but judges in New Mexico typically dole out light punishment to first-offense drunken drivers. My purpose in highlighting these cases is not to seek sympathy for a well-paid thief. The point is one prominent, white-collar New Mexican served less time for inflicting terror and pain on innocents than another who stole some groceries. I wrote a column earlier this fall calling for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 days in jail for any first offender convicted of drunken driving. Many readers contacted me about that column. As the holidays approach and state legislators prepare for their 60-day session starting in January, they might be interested in a few of their comments. "This state continues to do what it has always done, and at this point it doesn't seem to care that the results are the same as they always have been. Sadly, that means increased death and injury," wrote Linda Atkinson, executive director of the DWI Resource Center and New Mexico Victims' Rights Project. "The most recent data (2022) from the New Mexico Department of Transportation indicates that DWI arrests were down almost 21% from 2018 to 2022. Convictions were also down by 24% over the same time. DWI crashes have gone from 113 fatalities in 2018 to 152 in 2022. "We could increase DWI penalties, similar to Scandinavian countries. Research tells us this would reduce death and injury caused by impaired driving," Atkinson stated. Another reader, Sheila McCarthy Grainger wrote me about her family's tragedy, fresh in her mind after 40 years. "In 1984, my husband was hit head-on by a drunk playing 'chicken' in Taos Canyon. My husband was airlifted to UNMH where he lay in a coma for 10 days, finally succumbing to his injuries. He died the day after Christmas. Our young son was left fatherless, and I was left without my best friend." Richie Grainger's death led to one of the more publicized and controversial DWI cases in New Mexico's history. The Taos News led the way in describing peculiar conduct by state police officers who'd investigated the defendant, Veto Vialpando. "Taosenos wondered why Vialpando was allowed to drive away from the scene of the tragedy after he failed to produce insurance and was charged with DWI," the weekly reported. Vialpando's family hired New Mexico's most famous defense attorney, Leon Taylor, to represent him. An early ruling boded well for Vialpando. A judge decided the jury in Raton could not be told 21-year-old Vialpando had refused to take a blood-alcohol test. Taylor offered a simple defense. He said Vialpando had been blinded by the sun. Richie Grainger, Taylor argued, died as the result of a terrible accident rather than a senseless crime. Jurors acquitted Vialpando. He died 30 years after his trial. Sheila Grainger for a time tried to repair what she believed was a broken system. "My friends who worked at the Legislature would invite me to go during the sessions to talk to various legislators about improving laws concerning drunken drivers. It was like I was talking to a blank wall. "One legislator in the House of Representatives even went so far as to tell me he had three rehab places [in his district] which brought in money. He wasn’t about to change any laws that would alter that moneymaking endeavor." She wearied of lawmakers. "It used to irk me seeing them in The Bull Ring and other eating and drinking places, laughing and slapping each other on the back for jobs well done. "My son and I endured. He has done well in his life, having two college degrees and a lovely little family. Me, I’m old now, never remarried, and I still miss Richie every day. I tell you this because your column just pointed out the fact that after 40 years nothing has improved." Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and legislators in her own party battled in springtime over a package of crime bills she coveted. Trouble was, Lujan Grisham's proposals were redundant or deemed unwise. Lawmakers rejected all of them. The Scandinavian model of stiff sentences for drunken drivers wasn't part of the package. The new year represents a fresh opportunity to change that. All the politicians read about the editor who spent 10 days in a cell for shoplifting. For all their interest in crime and punishment, they didn't find any account of a first-time drunken driver doing that much time. Call it New Mexico's legal system. Justice shouldn't be part of the description. Ringside Seat is an opinion column about people, politics and news. Contact Milan Simonich at msimonich@sfnewmexican.com or 505-986-3080.A mayor believes the Queensland government's decision to remove him sets a dangerous precedent for councils after he was accused of misleading voters about his army service. or signup to continue reading Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson was stood down for 12 months on full pay of $225,206 by the newly minted Local Government Minister Ann Leahy after ongoing controversy at the north Queensland council. He is unable to perform any of the duties of a councillor or mayor during this time. Mr Thompson said he was disappointed in the decision and rejected the allegations of corruption levelled against him, vowing to continue fighting to clear his name, "This has set a precedent for councillors across Queensland, that the state government may suspend a democratically elected member without a proper judicial process taking place," he said in a statement on Facebook on Friday. "Once the 12-month suspension is completed and I am cleared of all allegations, I look forward to returning to the role of mayor, as democratically elected by the people of Townsville." He promised to study "local laws, the act, meeting procedures and policies" during his suspension. Mr Thompson is being investigated by the state's corruption watchdog over matters including claims during his 2024 mayoral campaign that he served five years in the army. He later conceded on Nine Network's A Current Affair that he had misled voters about his military record, blaming "100-plus" concussions. It sparked a unanimous no-confidence council vote in Townsville, the country's biggest garrison city boasting more than 15,000 Australian Defence Force personnel. Mr Thompson has since resisted calls to stand down amid ongoing issues with colleagues. The state's former Labor government issued a show cause notice in one of its final acts before going into caretaker mode ahead of the state election. Opposition Leader Steven Miles said he was "glad sanity prevailed" and the LNP government agreed to stand down the embattled mayor. "Townsville is just too important to Queensland for its council to go on paralysed," he said in a statement. "That's why we started the show cause process and loaded the gun ready for the LNP to finally pull the trigger on Troy Thompson." Deputy Mayor Paul Jacob will take over the top job while Mr Thompson is stood down. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. 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Sleep Tech Devices Market Size: Strong Growth Ahead (2024-2032) 12-27-2024 06:52 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Cognate Insights Sleep Tech Devices Market Latest Market Overview The global sleep tech devices market is anticipated to achieve a market value of USD 45.3 billion by 2032, growing at a robust CAGR of 9.8% from USD 21.5 billion in 2024. Increasing consumer awareness about sleep health, coupled with the rising prevalence of sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea, has fueled demand for technologically advanced devices. Innovations in wearable technologies, smart home integration, and AI-driven solutions are transforming the landscape of sleep monitoring and therapy. The Sleep Tech Devices Market has experienced steady growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding at a strong pace from 2024 to 2032. This analysis offers a comprehensive overview, providing valuable insights into key trends and developments within the Sleep Tech Devices industry. These findings equip business leaders with the necessary knowledge to devise more effective strategies and enhance profitability. Furthermore, the report serves as a useful resource for new and emerging businesses, helping them make informed decisions as they navigate the market and seek growth opportunities. Major Players of Sleep Tech Devices Market are: ResMed Inc. (San Diego, USA) - USD 3.6 billion revenue (2023) Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Amsterdam, Netherlands) - USD 19 billion revenue (2023) Fitbit Inc. (San Francisco, USA) - USD 1.6 billion revenue (2023) Withings SA (Issy-les-Moulineaux, France) - USD 220 million revenue (2023) Casper Sleep Inc. (New York, USA) - USD 500 million revenue (2023) Get Latest PDF Sample Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/request-sample/sleep-tech-devices-market-research Our Report covers global as well as regional markets and provides an in-depth analysis of the overall growth prospects of the market. Global market trend analysis including historical data, estimates to 2024, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast to 2032 is given based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market segments involving economic and non-economic factors. Furthermore, it reveals the comprehensive competitive landscape of the global market, the current and future market prospects of the industry, and the growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and constraints in emerging and emerging markets. Global Sleep Tech Devices Market Landscape and Future Pathways: North America: United States Canada Europe: Germany France U.K. Italy Russia Asia-Pacific: China Japan South Korea India Australia China Taiwan Indonesia Thailand Malaysia Latin America: Mexico Brazil Argentina Korea Colombia Middle East & Africa: Turkey Saudi Arabia UAE Korea Speak to Our Analyst for A Discussion on The Above Findings, And Ask for A Discount on The Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/check-discount/sleep-tech-devices-market-research Key drivers and challenges influencing the Sleep Tech Devices market: Regional Analysis: The report involves examining the Sleep Tech Devices market at a regional or national level. Report analyses regional factors such as government incentives, infrastructure development, economic conditions, and consumer behaviour to identify variations and opportunities within different markets. Market Projections: Report covers the gathered data and analysis to make future projections and forecasts for the Sleep Tech Devices market. This may include estimating market growth rates, predicting market demand, and identifying emerging trends. Company Analysis: Report covers individual Sleep Tech Devices manufacturers, suppliers, and other relevant industry players. This analysis includes studying their financial performance, market positioning, product portfolios, partnerships, and strategies. Consumer Analysis: Report covers data on consumer behaviour, preferences, and attitudes towards Sleep Tech Devices This may involve surveys, interviews, and analysis of consumer reviews and feedback from different by Application. Technology Analysis: Report covers specific technologies relevant to Sleep Tech Devices. It assesses the current state, advancements, and potential future developments in Sleep Tech Devices areas. Reason to Buy this Report: -Analysis of the impact of technological advancements on the market and the emerging trends shaping the industry in the coming years. -Examination of the regulatory and policy changes affecting the market and the implications of these changes for market participants. -Overview of the competitive landscape in the Sleep Tech Devices market, including profiles of the key players, their market share, and strategies for growth. -Identification of the major challenges facing the market, such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing consumer preferences, and analysis of how these challenges will affect market growth. -Evaluation of the potential of new products and applications in the market, and analysis of the investment opportunities for market participants. For In-Depth Competitive Analysis - Purchase this Report now at @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/purchase-report/sleep-tech-devices-market-research Contact Us: Cognate Insights Web: www.cognateinsights.com Email: info@cognateinsights.com Phone: +91 8424946476 About Us: We are leaders in market analytics, business research, and consulting services for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, financial & government institutions. Since we understand the criticality of data and insights, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. To be at our client's disposal whenever they need help on market research and consulting services. We also aim to be their business partners when it comes to making critical business decisions around new market entry, M&A, competitive Intelligence and strategy. This release was published on openPR.

Just over an hour after details of his first cabinet were announced, Bayrou went on live national television to explain the logic of recalling several names from previous administrations such as former prime ministers Elisabeth Borne, Manuel Valls. “I think we're in the most difficult situation we've been in since the second world war," Bayrou told journalists Apolline de Malherbe and Benjamin Duhamel on BMF TV . "It is a country that has no budget, no majority, in which a large number of French people think and believe that they are being left out, that no attention is being paid to them." Bayrou said that Borne, who was premier between May 2022 and January 2024, would be his de facto number two. “The country's number one challenge is education,” Bayrou added. During the 90-minute interview, Bayrou attempted to present himself as a centrist, unifying figure. "If we want to fight the immense problems France is facing at the moment, we cannot let disagreements rule," he said. The return of Valls came as a surprise. The 62-year-old served as François Hollande's premier between April 2014 and December 2016 and will take over as overseas territories minister after nearly a decade away from the white heat of power. His priority will be to implement the rescue package for the battered Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte where Cyclone Chido left at least 35 dead and more than 2,500 injured. "One of the most pressing issues for this country are overseas territories," Bayrou insisted. "They are very fragile, very destabilised societies, which feel that no one is looking after them." France's Prime Minister Bayrou names new cabinet The 73-year-old, who heads the liberal Democratic Movement (MoDem) party, denied he had succumbed to any influence from Marine Le Pen's National Rally on the composition of his government as claimed by the former minister Xavier Bertrand. But there were acknowledged hard line operators at the interior and justice ministries. Gérald Darmanin, who served as Interior Minister between July 2020 and September 2024 under three prime ministers, returned to the government as Justice Minister – the post that had seemed destined for Bertrand. Bruno Retailleau, a conservative who has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration, retains his post as Interior Minister. Bayrou also promised to not use the controversial 49.3 article of the French Constitution which allows the government to bypass MPs in parliament unless he was completely blocked. He told the interviewers that he did not want to slap new taxes on businesses but conceded the country's deficits had to be addressed. Named by President Emmanuel Macron on 13 December to replace Michel Barnier, Bayrou will head the fourth government of the year. Criticisms The leader of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, accused him of having formed the coalition of failure. Marine Tondelier, the Green Party chief, condemned him for placing himself in the hands of the far right. The leader of the France Unbowed (LFI) MPs, Mathilde Panot, said: "It is a government filled with people rejected at the ballot box who have contributed to sinking our country ... with the support of Marine Le Pen and the National Rally." Right-wing LR members of parliament have said they will not rule out withdrawing their support for Bayrou's government. "We will be very demanding," added LR's Laurent Wauquiez. The government will meet for the first time on 3 January and Bayrou is expected to give a policy speech to parliament on 14 January. LFI MPs say they will table a motion of no confidence against Bayrou and his government as soon as possible.

However, some state workers failed to return to their jobs and a United Nations official said the country’s public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt”. Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighbouring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Mr Assad’s brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant, who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the UN official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali for the first time. Mr Jalali stayed in Syria when Mr Assad fled and has sought to project normalcy since. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Mr Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a UN official said some government services had been paralysed as worried state employees stayed at home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt,” said Adam Abdelmoula, UN resident and humanitarian co-ordinator for Syria, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonised by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Mr Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. “I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” In a video shared on a rebel messaging channel, Mr al-Sharaa said: “You will see there are skills” among the rebels. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Mr Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Mr Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Mr Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets.

The average price of SMM 1# silver in 2024 rose approximately 30% YoY, supported by rigid PV demand in H1 and market expectations of a US Fed interest rate cut. Meanwhile, the market's capital chain was relatively loose, leading to a significant increase in silver prices. Both supply-demand dynamics and macro sentiment influenced silver prices. In 2023, macro factors had a weaker impact, and silver prices were more affected by industrial supply and demand. However, entering 2024, as the macro market shifted to an interest rate cut environment, futures market investment activity surpassed industrial supply and demand, with macro news exerting a stronger influence on silver prices. Macro Front : In 2025, the US will remain in an interest rate cut environment, and the US Fed is expected to set interest rates lower than in 2024. Meanwhile, the US president's policies will strengthen the US dollar and weaken precious metals. However, as the correlation between the US dollar and gold may weaken, coupled with currency exchange rate issues, silver prices are likely to fluctuate on the bullish side. Demand Side : PV demand will continue to grow in 2024, with PV silver usage (production + inventory) at 5,800 mt, up 26% YoY. The increase in silver usage is related to advancements in PV technology conversion, sustained growth in downstream demand, and further strengthening of localisation substitution. Demand for electrical alloys will also rise compared to last year, mainly due to improved orders for electrical alloys in 2024. Downstream home appliance subsidies have encouraged consumers to upgrade appliances, driving related demand for electrical alloys. In the electronics sector, demand is supported by semiconductor-related products. However, as domestic silver supply for semiconductors is skewed towards low and mid-end, the market relies heavily on imports. Additionally, due to cost reduction pressures in the industry chain, the substitution rate with base metals is higher. Other traditional industrial sectors, impacted by high silver prices, are increasingly using base metals as substitutes where performance is not compromised. Supply Side : Rising silver prices have driven an increase in silver production, with 1# silver production up 9% YoY. At the same time, more silver is entering the supply system. In H1, strong PV demand significantly boosted domestic silver prices, pushing domestic prices above the tax-inclusive prices of imported silver. In June and July, domestic markets uncharacteristically imported silver to supplement domestic demand. Supply-Demand Balance : At the beginning of 2025, a tight supply-demand balance is expected, with supply slightly exceeding demand. Therefore, from the supply-demand perspective, silver prices in 2025 are expected to show a downward trend. Given the influence of both macro factors and supply-demand dynamics, the average silver price in 2025 is expected to be similar to that in 2024, with overall prices exhibiting a wide fluctuating trend. 》Check SMM Precious Metals Spot PricesBETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 9, 2024-- Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced today that it arranged the $185,000,000 sale of Preserve at Melrose, a suburban multifamily community built in 2015 that comprises 410 units in Vista, one of San Diego's most sought-after north county neighborhoods. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209891604/en/ Preserve at Melrose (Photo: Business Wire) This sale represents the 2 nd largest single-asset transaction in San Diego and the fifth largest in California year-to-date in 2024. The Walker & Dunlop Investment Sales team, led by Hunter Combs , represented the seller, a local San Diego based group, and buyer, Mesirow. "San Diego remains a top target nationally for investors, making up 10% of all U.S. multifamily transactions over $150 million and 23% of those in California, year-to-date since 2023," said Hunter Combs, managing director of Investment Sales at Walker & Dunlop. "San Diego's market strength is propelled by its historically consistent rent growth, strong fundamentals and high barriers to entry. The influx of life science surrounding UCSD and big tech companies establishing their presence here, in addition to the long-standing defense industry underscores San Diego's exceptional market resilience and attractiveness for investors." "We were pleased to collaborate with Walker & Dunlop in the purchase of the Preserve at Melrose,” stated Alasdair Cripps , chief executive officer of Mesirow Institutional Real Estate Direct Investments. “The Preserve’s expansive amenity set, transit-oriented location and proximity to key employment centers make it one of north county San Diego’s most attractive multifamily properties, and we look forward to serving this community.” Located in the Vista submarket of San Diego, Preserve at Melrose is minutes from downtown Vista and transit oriented being adjacent to the light rail stations. The property is located off State Route 78, providing residents with direct access to major employment hubs along the 78 corridor, including Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad, San Marcos, and Escondido. The multifamily community offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with resort-style amenities, all set within a serene, low-density garden-style setting. Walker & Dunlop is a leader in multifamily property sales, having completed over $51 billion in property sales volume since 2021. The firm is also one of the top providers of capital to the U.S. multifamily market. In 2023, Walker & Dunlop originated over $24 billion in debt financing volume, including lending over $20 billion for multifamily properties. To learn more about our capabilities and financing options, visit our website . About Walker & Dunlop Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is one of the largest commercial real estate finance and advisory services firms in the United States. Our ideas and capital create communities where people live, work, shop, and play. The diversity of our people, breadth of our brand and technological capabilities make us one of the most insightful and client-focused firms in the commercial real estate industry. About Mesirow Mesirow is an independent, employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937. Headquartered in Chicago, with offices around the world, we serve clients through a personal, custom approach to reaching financial goals and acting as a force for social good. With capabilities spanning Global Investment Management, Capital Markets & Investment Banking, and Advisory Services, we invest in what matters: our clients, our communities and our culture. To learn more, visit mesirow.com , follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to Spark , our quarterly newsletter. Mesirow has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business multiple times and is one of Barron’s Top 100 RIA firms. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209891604/en/ CONTACT: Investors: Kelsey Duffey Investor Relations Phone301.202.3207 investorrelations@walkeranddunlop.com Media: Nina H. von Waldegg VP, Public Relations Phone301.564.3291 info@walkeranddunlop.comPhone301.215.55007272 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1300 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA MARYLAND UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY FINANCE PUBLIC RELATIONS/INVESTOR RELATIONS URBAN PLANNING BANKING COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RESIDENTIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE SOURCE: Walker & Dunlop, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/09/2024 06:00 PM/DISC: 12/09/2024 06:00 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209891604/en

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jameis Winston didn't throw a pick-6 on Sunday in Pittsburgh. There's progress. In this lost season for the disappointing and shockingly bad Cleveland Browns, the small victories matter. Winston, who has been entertaining if not always effective in six starts, did have a pair of interceptions. But the Browns were more harmed by Dustin Hopkins missing two more field goals in falling 27-14 to the Steelers, who haven't lost a regular-season home game to Cleveland since 2003. Coming off a 497-yard passing performance, which included two pick-6's in a loss at Denver last Monday night, Winston played more cautiously against the Steelers (10-3). However, he still made mistakes and couldn't rally the Browns (3-10), who were trying to sweep the season series from their division rival for the first time in 36 years. Now that the Browns have officially and mathematically been eliminated from the AFC playoffs — logically, that happened weeks ago — it's probably time for them to start planning ahead for next season. But that won't include a change at quarterback as coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Winston, who has revived Cleveland's offense since taking over when Deshaun Watson ruptured his Achilles tendon in October, will start this week against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. “Our focus right now is really just trying to find ways to get a win,” Stefanski said. While there's an argument to be made that the Browns should play second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson over the next four weeks to see if he fits into their future, Stefanski is sticking with Winston, who has emerged as a viable option to start for Cleveland next season. Of course, with it being the Browns, all plans are subject to change. So there's a reasonable chance that Thompson-Robinson, who made three starts and played in eight games as a rookie, could get some time before the season ends. Stefanski wouldn't get into any specifics for his decision to ride with Winston, who has thrown for 1,892 yards while going 2-4 as a starter. “We’re just going to continue to do everything we can to play better,” Stefanski said on a Zoom call. “Obviously I think we can play better on offense. Certainly as a team we can play better, but really the focus is making sure that we put our guys in position to find a way to win.” Winston at least gives the Browns a chance to finish with some dignity. At this point, that's all they got. What's working Stefanski has kept his players focused and motivated. The Browns haven't quit, and that's a strong signal that Stefanski still has his player's attention in a season filled with disappointment. It might be more challenging now that the Browns are only playing for pride, but guard Wyatt Teller is confident the team will fight until the end. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in playoff contention or not,” he said. “You’re going to do the best you can to play at a high level and protect your brothers.” What needs help Penalties have been a problem all season (11 in the opener) and continued Sunday as the Browns were called for nine infractions, including a pair of personal fouls in the second half. Cleveland leads the NFL with 53 pre-snap penalties. Stock up Right tackle Jack Conklin. For the second straight game, Conklin, with some help from others, held Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt without a sack. Conklin's comeback after undergoing knee reconstruction last season has been a bright spot in an otherwise dark season. Stock down Hopkins. His two misses — a 38-yarder at the end of the first half and a 43-yarder early in the third quarter — were beyond deflating. Two makes and the game would have been tied at 13. So steady while going 33 of 36 and making all eight kicks from over 50 yards a year ago, Hopkins is in a 3 of 9 tailspin. The team's decision to sign him to a three-year, $15.9 million extension this summer appears to be another miss. Still, Stefanski is confident Hopkins will find his kicking swing. “This is something that I know he can get through,” Stefanski said. “We’ll get through it together. He’s a veteran. He’s been through a lot in his career already and this is something we’ll continue to work through.” Injuries CB Greg Newsome II injured the same hamstring Sunday that he had surgery on during the summer. Stefanski said Newsome will “miss time,” but did not say how much. ... DB Mike Ford is in concussion protocol after being hurt in the first half. ... Stefanski ruled out LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah again this week with a neck injury, but didn't provide any updates on his condition. Owusu-Koramoah was eligible to return last week. He got hurt on Oct. 27 while tackling Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Key number 99 1/2 — Career sacks for Myles Garrett, who recorded his 11th this season on Sunday. Garrett has 13 sacks against the Steelers, including six in his past three games. What's next A visit on Sunday from the Chiefs and perhaps pop superstar Taylor Swift, who could celebrate her birthday (Dec. 13) with a weekend in boyfriend Travis Kelce's hometown. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Tom Withers, The Associated PressBetting favorite flips in Raiders-Saints game at New Orleans

AP Business SummaryBrief at 5:20 p.m. EST