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Win tickets to the Australian Open 2025 with New BalanceBiden touts economic legacy, says Trump will inherit a strong economy President Biden touted his economic record during a speech on Tuesday, despite high prices being a key factor in President-elect Donald Trump's win. CBS News political correspondent Caitlin Huey-Burns has more.
Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it’s here to stayEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants snapped a franchise-record 10-game losing streak and ended the Indianapolis Colts' slim playoff hopes Sunday as Drew Lock threw four touchdown passes and ran for another in a 45-33 victory. New York earned its first home win of the season and it no longer has control of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Lock sandwiched touchdown passes of 31 and 59 yards to Malik Nabers around TD passes of 32 yards to Darius Slayton and 5 yards to Wan'Dale Robinson in leading the Giants (3-13) to their first win since beating Seattle on Oct. 6. Ihmir Smith-Marsette had a 100-yard return on the second-half kickoff on a day the league's worst offense set a season high for points. Jonathan Taylor scored on runs of 3 and 26 yards for Indianapolis (7-9), while Joe Flacco, subbing for the injured Anthony Richardson, threw touchdown passes of 13 yards to Alec Pierce and 7 yards to Michael Pittman, the last bringing the Colts within 35-33 with 6:38 left in the fourth quarter. Lock, who finished 17 of 23 for 309 yards, iced the game by leading a nine-play, 70-yard drive that he capped with a 5-yard run. The 45 points were the most for New York since putting up 49 in a 52-49 loss to the Saints in 2015. It’s the Giants most in a win since a 45-14 rout against Washington in 2014 and most at home since a 52-27 win against the Saints in 2012. Nabers finished with seven catches for a career-high 171 yards. Flacco was 26 of 38 for 330 yards with two interceptions, the second by rookie Dru Phillips shortly after Lock's TD run. Taylor, who rushed for 218 yards in a win over Tennessee last weekend, finished with 125 yards on 32 carries. Pierce had six catches for 122 yards. Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy become the third pair of rookies to have more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in the same season. The previous duo was running back Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston of the Saints in 2006. Colts: Richardson was inactive with foot and back injuries sustained against Tennessee. Giants: DL Armon Watts (knee) was ruled out in the first half. Colts: Finish the regular season by hosting Jacksonville. Giants: At Philadelphia to face Saquon Barkley and the Eagles. AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Three days on from their second-half capitulation against Sheffield Wednesday, Michael Carrick’s side rediscovered their defensive resilience as they successfully contained a Burnley team that are just a point outside the automatic-promotion positions. The Teessiders restricted their opponents to hardly any opportunities, and when stand-in goalkeeper Tom Glover did err, palming a cross into the path of Josh Brownhill, Dael Fry came to the Australian’s rescue with a superb block. The trade-off was that Boro were far less adventurous at the other end than they usually are, limiting the number of players they were throwing into the Burnley box and barely creating anything of note themselves as a result. James Trafford clawed away a decent second-half effort from Finn Azaz, but for the first time in seven matches, Boro failed to trouble the scorer. The point still lifted them back into the play-off positions, though, and after the trauma of the second half against Sheffield Wednesday, perhaps a reduction in attacking output was a price worth paying for a greater degree of calmness and composure. If nothing else, at least it proved Carrick was able to react to what went wrong in the previous game. Given the way in which injuries and suspensions have ravaged the Boro squad in the last couple of weeks, it can also be argued that a draw with a promotion rival is a creditable enough way in which to sign off for 2024. If Boro are in touch with Burnley in May, they will almost certainly be at the heart of the promotion picture. Burnley boast the best defensive record in the Championship by some distance, having only conceded nine goals in 23 matches prior to last night’s game, so it was never going to be a night when Boro created chances at will. With Burnley’s central midfielders, Josh Cullen and Josh Laurent, both sitting relatively deep to help protect their back four, the home side were denied both time and space in the final third. Ben Doak can wriggle his way out of pretty much anywhere, but even the teenage Liverpool loanee was struggling to get much change out of Burnley left-back Bashir Humphreys, such was the quality of the visitors’ defensive work. Doak finally got beyond his man midway through the first half, but while he stood up a decent cross to the back post, Emmanuel Latte Lath had two defenders pressuring him and was only able to head over the crossbar. Boro’s defence was looking equally as resolute at that stage, with George Edmundson having returned to partner Fry at centre-half in the absence of the suspended Rav van den Berg. Both Edmundson and Fry made important first-half blocks from crosses from Jaidon Anthony, who was getting a fair amount of joy up against Neto Borges on the Clarets’ right-hand side. Anthony was involved in a slick passing move that ended with Laurent being released into the right of the box, but Glover was quick off his line to shut down the midfielder. The only contentious moment of the first half came shortly after the half-hour mark, with referee Josh Smith turning down Boro’s appeals as Latte Lath tried to force his way into the area. Latte Lath barged his way between Burnley’s two centre-halves to reach a long ball from Edmundson, but was then brushed over by CJ Egan-Riley as he shaped to break into the box. It didn’t really look like a foul, but in the ensuing confusion, Delano Burgzorg managed to rob the ball off Clarets goalkeeper James Trafford as he tried to mop up outside his penalty area. Burgzorg was able to get a shot away, but it was a tame effort that trundled wide of the post. The effort summed up Burgzorg’s night, with the Dutchman mixing moments of real excitement with other occasions when his decision-making really let him down. The summer addition from Mainz has shown enough in the first half of the season to justify the decision to sign him following last season’s loan spell at Huddersfield, but all too often, a lack of end product undermines the more positive elements of his play. In truth, it was a night when none of the attackers on display really sparkled, with defences very much on top. That said however, Boro might well have fallen behind just before the hour mark had it not been for a piece of superb defending from Dael Fry. Glover made his first mistake of the night when he palmed a hanging cross from Cullen straight into the path of Brownhill, who was in space in the 18-yard box. Brownhill thought he had scored when he fired at goal, but Fry did superbly to get his chest in the way of the shot. The defender had to get his intervention spot on given that he risked giving away a penalty for handball, but his body position was perfect to enable him to legally keep the ball out. Trafford clawed away a decent effort from Azaz at the other end after the Boro midfielder had wriggled into space on the left of the box, before Burnley wasted the best chance of the game with 14 minutes remaining. Brownhill was completely unmarked as Anthony pulled the ball back into his path, but the midfielder leaned back and side-footed over from 12 yards out.
The former England footballer, 39, said he was “proud” of how Coleen was doing in the Australian jungle in a post on social media on Saturday. The couple, who first met at school and began dating aged 16, share four sons – Kai Wayne, Klay Anthony, Kit Joseph and Cass Mac. Proud of on she’s doing great ❤️ Me and the boys would love to see her doing a trial and we know she’d want to put herself to the test. If you can download the app and let’s get voting! 🗳️🕷️🐍 — Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) “Proud of @ColeenRoo on @imacelebrity she’s doing great”, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a collage of photos of her on the show. “Me and the boys would love to see her doing a trial and we know she’d want to put herself to the test. “If you can download the #ImACeleb and let’s get voting!” During the first task of the series, BBC Radio 1 presenter Dean McCullough chose to partner up with TV personality Coleen as he hailed her as “Wagatha Christie”. Rooney, 38, was given the nickname when she accused Rebekah Vardy, who is married to Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, of leaking her private information to The Sun in a viral post on social media. In July 2022, a judge at the High Court found the post was “substantially true”. During Vardy’s stint on I’m A Celebrity, she became the third celebrity to leave, saying the series helped her become more tolerant. Earlier this week, Liverpool-born Coleen told her fellow campmate that going to court over her feud with Vardy was her “worst nightmare” as she felt she was “putting on a show for the whole world”. However, she said she was not scared about making the viral post which kicked off the dispute, saying: “I just didn’t think it would have the impact it did, because I was just that sick and tired of it, it was draining.” Later in the episode, Rooney became emotional over the loss of her sister Rosie, after boxing star Barry McGuigan spoke about the death of his daughter. I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues on ITV1 and ITVX.If you're planning on ringing in the new year quietly at home, you're not alone. A majority of U.S adults intend to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. “As I’ve gotten older over the last few years, it’s like if I don’t make it to midnight, it’s not a big deal, you know?” says Carla Woods, 70, from Vinton, Iowa. Nearly 2 in 10 will be celebrating at a friend or family member’s home, and just 5% plan to go out to celebrate at a bar, restaurant or organized event, the poll found. But many U.S. adults will celebrate the new year in a different way — by making a resolution. More than half say they'll make at least one resolution for 2025. There's some optimism about the year ahead, although more than half aren't expecting a positive change. About 4 in 10 say 2025 will be a better year for them personally. About one-third don’t expect much of a difference between 2024 and 2025, and about one-quarter think 2025 will be a worse year than 2024. Kourtney Kershaw, a 32-year-old bartender in Chicago, often fields questions from customers and friends about upcoming events for New Year's Eve. She said this year is trending toward low-key. “A majority of who I’ve spoken to in my age range, they want to go out, but they don’t know what they’re going to do because they haven’t found anything or things are just really expensive,” she said. “Party packages or an entry fee are like a turnoff, especially with the climate of the world and how much things cost.” As expected, younger people are more interested in ringing in the new year at a bar or organized event — about 1 in 10 U.S. adults under 30 say they plan to do that. But about 3 in 10 older adults — 60 and above — say they won’t celebrate the beginning of 2025 at all. Anthony Tremblay, 35, from Pittsburgh, doesn't usually go out to toast the arrival of the new year, but this year he's got something special cooked up: He and his wife will be traveling through Ireland. “I don’t do anything too crazy for New Year’s, usually. So this is definitely a change,” he said. “I wanted to do something unique this year, so I did.” Woods will be working New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. She answers calls on The Iowa Warmline, a confidential, noncrisis listening line for people struggling with mental health or substance use issues. “Holidays are really hard for people, so I don’t mind working,” she said. “I’m passionate about it because I have mental health issues in the family and so being able to help people is rewarding to me.” Every New Year's also triggers the eternal debate about resolutions. A majority of U.S. adults say they intend to make a New Year’s resolution of some type, but millennials and Gen Z are especially likely to be on board — about two-thirds expect to do so, compared to about half of older adults. Women are also more likely than men to say they will set a goal for 2025. Tremblay hopes to lose some weight and focus more on self-care — more sleep, meditation and breathing exercises. “It’s probably a good year to focus on mental health,” he said. Many others agree. About 3 in 10 adults choose resolutions involving exercise or eating healthier. About one-quarter said they'll make a resolution involving losing weight and a similar number said they'll resolve to make changes about priorities of money or mental health. Woods' resolutions are to stay social and active. As a mental health counselor, she knows those are key to a happy 2025 and beyond: “Probably one of my biggest resolutions is trying to make sure I stay social, try to get out at least once a week — get out and either have coffee or do something with a friend. That’s not only for the physical but also for the mental health part.” Kershaw, the bartender, says weight loss and better health are the top resolutions she hears people make. “Mental health is the new one, but I think it’s high up there as well as with regular health,” she said. She prefers more goal-oriented resolutions and, this time, it's to do more traveling and see more of the world: “I don’t know if that’s really a resolution, but that’s a goal that I’m setting.” And how will she welcome the arrival of 2025? Usually, she takes the night off and stays home watching movies with plenty of snacks, but this year Kershaw has a different plan, maybe one of the most Chicago things you can do. This die-hard sports fan will be at Wrigley Field on Tuesday watching the Chicago Blackhawks take on the St. Louis Blues. “Hockey’s my favorite sport. So I will be watching hockey and bringing in the new year,” she said. The AP-NORC poll of 1,251 adults was conducted Dec. 5-9, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.
ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO struggled with deputies and shouted while being led into court Tuesday as new details emerged about his possible motivation behind the ambush. In his first public words since a five-day search ended with his arrest at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania, Luigi Nicholas Mangione emerged from a patrol car shouting about an "insult to the intelligence of the American people" while deputies pushed him inside a courthouse. The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family is fighting attempts to extradite him to New York so that he can face a murder charge in the Manhattan killing of Brian Thompson, who led the United States' largest medical insurance company. A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said that at the time of his arrest, Mangione was carrying a handwritten document expressing anger with what he called "parasitic" health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed and power. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive health care system in the world and that profits of major corporations continue to rise while "our life expectancy" does not, according to the bulletin. In social media posts, Mangione called "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski — who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology — a "political revolutionary," according to the police bulletin. Mangione remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Manhattan prosecutors were beginning to take steps to bring Mangione to New York, but at a brief hearing Tuesday, defense lawyer Thomas Dickey said his client will not waive extradition and instead wants a hearing on the issue. Mangione was denied bail after prosecutors said he was too dangerous to be released. He mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally looking at papers, rocking in his chair or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion but was quieted by his lawyer. "You can't rush to judgment in this case or any case," Dickey said afterward. "He's presumed innocent. Let's not forget that." Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City, after a McDonald's customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald's while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and beanie. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. New York police officials have said Mangione was carrying a gun like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. A law enforcement official who wasn't authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said a three-page, handwritten document found with Mangione included a line in which he claimed to have acted alone. "To the Feds, I'll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn't working with anyone," the document said, according to the official. It also said, "I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming." Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. From surveillance video, New York investigators determined the shooter quickly fled the city, likely by bus. Mangione was born into a life of country clubs and privilege. His grandfather was a self-made real estate developer and philanthropist. Valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, he went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. "Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest," Mangione's family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland Del. Nino Mangione. "We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved." From January to June 2022, Luigi Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a "co-living" space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. "Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints," Ryan said. "There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they're saying he committed." At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago.
All the signs Michelle Keegan was pregnant with first child - from hiding bump to cosy nights in
Truxton Co. ( OTCMKTS:TRUX – Get Free Report ) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 500 shares, an increase of 25.0% from the November 30th total of 400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days. Truxton Stock Performance Shares of TRUX opened at $73.80 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $211.66 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.18 and a beta of 0.65. Truxton has a 1 year low of $60.00 and a 1 year high of $75.25. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $73.45 and its 200 day simple moving average is $69.45. Truxton ( OTCMKTS:TRUX – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.57 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $12.22 million for the quarter. Truxton Dividend Announcement Truxton Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Truxton Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides various banking, investment management, and trust administration services to individuals, businesses, and charitable institutions in the United States. The company offers deposit products, including demand, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Truxton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Truxton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona
4 Debt-Free Singapore Stocks with Solid Prospects for 2025 - Yahoo Singapore NewsThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers exploded offensively Sunday in a 48-14 rout of the Carolina Panthers. The Buccaneers (9-7) now temporarily sit atop the NFC South division. After the teams exchanged first-quarter touchdowns, the Buccaneers scored 20 unanswered points to blow the game open as they dominated time of possession en route to a 551-yard day. Tampa Bay punted just once all afternoon and opened the game with five straight scoring drives. Baker Mayfield posted his first career game with 350-plus yards and five touchdowns, connecting with Mike Evans for two of those touchdowns as he became the seventh player in NFL history with six or more seasons with at least 10 touchdown receptions. FIRE THE CANNONS 💣💥 📺: #CARvsTB on CBS pic.twitter.com/eh77V1iShq — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 29, 2024 On the ground, Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving continued building one of the best rookie seasons in Tampa Bay history, finishing with 113 rushing yards on 20 carries and an additional 77 receiving yards. Carolina (4-12) posted just 39 rushing yards, their fewest in a game since Week 15 in 2022. Special teams also struggled, giving up a blocked punt for a touchdown. The lone bright spot for the Panthers continues to be the improvement of second-year quarterback Bryce Young, who threw some impressive passes connecting with Adam Thielen. Advertisement Young finished the afternoon 15-for-28 for 203 yards and two touchdowns, while Thielen posted his first game with multiple receiving touchdowns since joining the Panthers. Mayfield’s field day Mayfield had a fairly pedestrian performance in the first meeting with the Panthers four weeks ago. Not Sunday. The former Panthers QB picked apart a Carolina defense missing several starters in throwing for a career-high five touchdowns. It was Mayfield’s fourth game with four or more touchdown passes – tied with Lamar Jackson for the most this season. He also tied Tom Brady’s franchise record for most three-touchdown games in a single season at eight. Mayfield narrowly missed finished with a perfect passer rating for the second time in his career. He’ll have to settle for a 153.0 rating that was the second highest of his career and for keeping the Bucs’ playoff hopes very much alive. Tampa Bay needs a loss from Atlanta, which won both meetings with the Bucs, to claim its fifth consecutive NFC South title. — Joe Person, Carolina Panthers beat writer Carolina defense gutted in new season-low Yes, the Panthers were missing linebacker Josey Jewell and cornerback Jaycee Horn. But this was the type of defensive performance that gets coordinators fired, putting Ejiro Evero’s job status in jeopardy. The Panthers avoided giving up the most points in a game in their history, thanks to Todd Bowles pulling his starters midway through the fourth quarter and having his backup QB take a knee in scoring position. But the Panthers did set another dubious record: They’ve now allowed a team-record 496 points on the season and are threatening to set a league record for points allowed. Special teams coordinator Tracy Smith, whose unit allowed a blocked punt for a touchdown, also should face scrutiny. — Person Required reading (Photo: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)
An artist’s impression of the new building The Nittambuwa town will receive a purpose-built eco-friendly branch building of Ceylinco Life, as the company continues the greening of its operations across Sri Lanka. Ceylinco Life Chairman R. Renganathan, Managing Director/CEO Thushara Ranasinghe, directors and senior management were in Nittambuwa recently for the laying of the foundation stone for this newest branch on company-owned land, on Colombo Road, Horagolla Watta, Nittambuwa. Using the low-cost precast concrete technology developed by the National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERD), the new branch building will conform to the exacting environment-friendly specifications adopted for all new branches on company-owned land, and will be the 31st Ceylinco Life branch of that model. The two-storey, 5,750 sq. ft building will be fully solar-powered, and the excess electricity is expected to be sold. It will also have a battery backup system for customer areas, ensuring uninterrupted power supply and zero consumption of electricity from the national grid, a company spokesman said. It will have its own rainwater harvesting facility, a dedicated, waste-water recycling system that processes 100% of wastewater, and its own sewerage treatment plant that will produce treated water for toilet flushing and gardening. The building is purpose-designed to make optimal use of natural light and natural ventilation and is to be fitted with energy-efficient artificial lighting and air conditioning systems. As a green initiative, the structure will be free oftimber, and the precast construction method will minimise the use of timber duringthe construction. The property also has space for a curated garden and dedicated customer parking, and provision for expansion if needed. Among the new branch buildings purpose-built to the company’s sustainable energy model are those at Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Wennappuwa, Bandarawela, Ratnapura (New Building),Horana, Panadura, Chilaw, Kadawatha, Jaffna (North Wing), Malabe, Divulapitiya, Negombo (new building), Nelliady, Piliyandala, Ja-ela and Minuwangoda.Authored by Lawrence Wilson via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), President-elect Donald Trump has said he intends to cut government spending by reasserting the presidential power of impoundment , a move certain to spark a court battle and one that could redefine presidential power for decades to come. Impoundment occurs when the president chooses not to disburse funds authorized by Congress; instead leaving them unspent in the U.S. Treasury. This power is not mentioned in the Constitution but has been employed by presidents since Thomas Jefferson. Congress enacted limits on the practice 50 years ago. Now, Trump intends to challenge the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 ( ICA ), which he believes is unconstitutional. “ I will use the president’s long-recognized Impoundment Power to squeeze the bloated federal bureaucracy for massive savings, ” Trump said when announcing his plan in June 2023. Others say the ICA was needed to prevent the misuse of impoundment to alter congressional spending priorities, not merely eliminate waste. Expanded use of impoundment power seems certain to be challenged in court. Resolution is likely to hinge on two constitutional questions that define the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of the federal government. Jefferson appears to have been the first to use impoundment. In 1803 he delayed purchasing gunboats to patrol the Mississippi River because they were no longer needed after the United States acquired the Louisiana Territory from France. Since then, most presidents appear to have used the practice from time to time, and usually because the spending was no longer in the public interest. President Ulysses S. Grant used impoundment to prevent federal funds from being used on river or harbor projects that would benefit private parties rather than the public. President Franklin Roosevelt used it to limit spending on civilian construction projects to concentrate on wartime spending. President Lyndon Johnson impounded some money to reduce inflation. President Richard Nixon used the practice more frequently than previous executives, and his use of impoundment represented “a difference in kind, not simply in degree” from his predecessors, according to Joshua Chafetz a professor of law and politics at Georgetown University. Nixon’s opponents argued that he was assuming the power to do away with certain government programs by simply starving them of funds, which violated the will of Congress. His team argued that presidents have a duty to consider other factors, including inflation, when deciding if or when to release government funds. Congress then passed the ICA, which, in addition to reforming the congressional budgeting process, strictly limited the executive’s ability to cut or delay spending the money appropriated by Congress. Nixon signed the bill into law. The ICA stipulates that presidents must ask congressional permission to impound funds. The president can ask Congress to permit either a recision or a deferral of spending. A recision is a spending cut. When the president asks Congress to cut certain spending, he may defer that spending for up to 45 days while Congress considers the matter. If Congress does not grant the request, the president must release the funds. A deferral is a delay in spending certain funds to a later point within the current fiscal year. If Congress doesn’t respond to the deferral request, the president may defer the spending. Robert Kravchuk, professor emeritus of public policy at Indiana University told The Epoch Times: “In one case, he'd have to hear positively from Congress not to spend money, and that’s the recision. “In the second case, he hears nothing, then he could go through with his deferral, but he can’t defer it to the next year or the year after that.” Article II of the U.S. Constitution states that the president must “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” Trump has said the ICA violates that clause because it strips the president of discretion in how best to achieve the government’s purposes. “ The [ICA] dramatically limited impoundment, the power of the president to choose not to unnecessarily spend taxpayer dollars, forcing the executive branch to spend every penny of congressionally appropriated funds ,” Trump wrote in his statement. A second argument in favor of impoundment is that congressional appropriations specify a maximum amount that may be spent, not a minimum. “Congress has the ‘power of the purse,’ so its appropriations necessarily set a ceiling on federal spending for a particular purpose, but it should not set the floor,” Trump said. That argument was made as early as 1876 when Secretary of War James Cameron wrote that “spending the full amount” of an appropriation “was in no way mandatory.” Read the rest here...The Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie had a busy and successful 2024 with many projects being completed in the area. Acting Reeve Roy Tufford outlines some of the accomplishments. “Looking back on 2024 the RM had a busy year and completed quite a few projects in addition to our regular road maintenance and drainage program,” Tufford said. Tufford notes one of the most significant projects was the completion of the new water reservoir and pumping station just east of Roquette. This multi-million dollar project was jointly funded by the province (through the Water Services Board), the RM, the city, and the Yellowhead water co-op. The new reservoir provides extra storage and backup as well as capacity to service more industrial development in our industrial park. Fans of the Portage Terriers can look forward to a night of excitement as the team hosts a skills competition sponsored by Simplot on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. The event, held at Stride Place, will feature players competing in events such as hardest shot and fastest skater. After the competition, fans can meet the players during an autograph session and join them on the ice for a free skate. Tickets are $2 at the door, but admission is free for season ticket holders and kids club members. Don’t miss this chance to connect with the team and enjoy an evening of fun on and off the ice. As the holiday season approached, the Salvation Army was once again at the heart of the community, ensuring families in need receive much-needed support through their annual Christmas hamper program. Major Brenda Hammond oversees the operation, which has been a lifeline for many struggling families in Portage la Prairie and surrounding areas. This year, the Salvation Army distributed hundreds of hampers, providing not just food, but also toys and stockings for children. “Toys and hampers are prepared in advance, carefully packed, and delivered on carts to families’ vehicles. We use green garbage bags to ensure the children can’t see what’s inside — that’s important you know,” said Hammond, about maintaining a sense of Christmas magic for the kids. Over 370 families signed up for holiday hampers this year. The Lions Den, long a cornerstone of community activity, was torn down on Dec. 17, marking the end of an era for the Portage la Prairie Lions Club. The beloved building, once a hub for events, meetings, and fundraisers, was returned to the City of Portage la Prairie by the Lions Club due to the club’s struggle with an aging membership and a lack of younger volunteers. According to Arishya Aggarwal, Chief of External Affairs for the Portage Lions Club, the decision to give up the Lions Den was a difficult one. With fewer members and the inability to secure new volunteers, the club faced the daunting prospect of disbanding. Despite losing the physical space, Aggarwal emphasized that the spirit of the Lions is far from gone. “We’ve faced challenges, but we’re not giving up. With a dedicated team of just 10 members, we’ve revitalized the club and successfully completed three community projects this year,” said Aggarwal. “The Lions Den may be gone, but we’ve not lost our Lions.” However, the club’s ability to reclaim the building from the city remains uncertain. The city now owns the Lions Den, and Aggarwal shared that the decision to demolish it was made by city officials.
🍷 A popular South Jersey winery is all festive for the holidays ❄ It looks like a scene out of a Hallmark movie 🎅 Come enjoy all the festivities it has to offer EGG HARBOR CITY — An historic South Jersey winery wants to get everyone in the holiday spirit with the return of its “Vintner Wonderland.” Now through January 20, 2025, Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City has been transformed into a scene out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, according to the winery. Bundle up and gather around cozy fire pits, dine inside igloos, sip hot spiced wine, indulge in hot chocolate, and enjoy sweets and treats, all while taking in the sights, songs, and flavors of the season. This year’s highlights include: Vintner Ice Rink – Glide across a sparkling outdoor rink surrounded by festive lights. This year, special charity programs at the rink will support the local community and those in need. Vintner Village – Explore a marketplace featuring artisan shops and culinary delights. Watch artisans hard at work. Purchase a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Family-Friendly Activities – Enjoy games for children of all ages, visit Santa Claus in his workshop, try your hand at arts and crafts, or get your face painted with a festive touch. Festival of Trees – The Renault family gives back this season to support Faces 4 Autism with their enchanting festival of decorated trees displayed and auctioned off through Dec. 20. Barrel Tree – Renault’s famous “barrel tree” is known as one of the most unique trees in the U.S. It will be at the center of the outdoor holiday village with twinkling lights cascading from each side. New this year include The Vintner Express Barrel Train – Hop aboard this whimsical train for a ride around the vineyard village. Grinch’s Lair Pop-Up Bar – Enjoy festive cocktails and a playful atmosphere inspired by the Grinch himself. Santa’s Workshop – Create memories with Santa in a cozy, photo-ready space filled with holiday cheer Louie’s Lounge Wine Bar – Unwind with a glass of Renault’s wines in an elegant setting designed for relaxation and celebration. Buddy’s Sweet Shoppe – Delight in holiday-themed treats and confections, plus Buddy’s ginormous hot chocolate. Signature Holiday Events Stories with Santa – Santa Claus will host “Stories with Santa” on Dec. 7, 12, 14, 19, and 21 at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Gather for a classic Christmas story with Santa, complete with freshly baked cookies from Café La Fleur. Kids will receive a special gift from Santa, chat with the “big guy” and photos after storytime. Cost is $15 per person. Vintner Wonderland at Renault Winery (Renault Winery) Breakfast with Santa – Enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa in Renault’s Champagne Ballroom on Dec. 15 and 22, at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and noon. Cost is $30 to $60 per person. Cookies and Cocktails – This is for adults only. Treat yourself to three signature cocktails paired with festive cookies in a lively holiday setting on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. Cost is $30 per person. Family Fun Nights at the Rink – Every Friday in December, bring the whole family for an evening of fun and festive activities. Cost is $15. Noon Year’s Eve – On Dec. 31, starting at 11:30 a.m., join Renault for a New Year’s Eve countdown for kids at noon. Lace up your skates and hit the ice in the Vintner Wonderland. Hang out in the igloos, and indulge in bites from the food trucks and sweet shops. When the clock strikes noon, raise your glasses to 2025 with a toast of nonalcoholic sparkling cider. New Year’s Eve Countdown and Champagne Toast – Enjoy a champagne toast on Dec. 31 in a commemorative champagne flute to take home. Renault also offers a Renault Passport Vinter Edition - The passport comes with premium seasonal perks designed to enhance the guest experience. The passport includes priority access to the events, dedicated parking close to the venue, a two-hour ice skating session with skate rentals included, a vintner express tractor ride, a s’mores kit, 10% off at the Renault gift shop, and more. Prices are $39 per person or $139 for a family four pack. Reindeer Run – This annual holiday-themed race is part of Vintner Wonderland on Dec. 21, rain or shine, with the one-mile kids fun run at 9:45 a.m. and the 5K run at 10 a.m. The cost of the 5K run is $30, until 6 p.m. on Dec. 20. The one-mile fun run price is $20 until 6 p.m. on Dec. 20. Registration after that time, and on race day will be $35 for the 5K and $25 for the one-mile fun run. Holiday Artisan Markets – From shopping for handcrafted treasures to indulging festive treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out holiday ornaments, artisanal foods, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind items on Dec.14 and Dec. 21. For a full schedule, passport details, and a full calendar of events, visit here . Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom New Jersey's 10 best holiday cookies Here's a little history lesson before you bake your favorite cookies! Gallery Credit: Jill CroceRICHMOND - Mounties in Richmond, B.C., say a man has been arrested for allegedly uttering threats against police while livestreaming on a social media platform. RCMP say they received the complaint about the man on Friday morning as he stood outside Richmond City Hall. Police say officers flooded the area and made an arrest without any incident. Insp. Michael Cohee, with RCMP investigative services, says they commend the person who recognized the potential risk and called police. He says they take public safety and threats of violence “very seriously,” whether they are online or in person. Police haven’t said what charges are being considered but say the investigation is ongoing.
ALTOONA, Pennsylvania, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Luigi Mangione, the suspect charged with murder in the shooting of a top UnitedHealth executive, briefly struggled with officers and angrily shouted while being escorted into a Pennsylvania courthouse on Tuesday, as a clearer picture of his motives began to emerge a day after his arrest ended a massive manhunt. Mangione , 26, turned toward a group of reporters and yelled in part, "...completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people!" before deputies pushed him away. It was not clear to what he was referring. At the court hearing, his defense lawyer told a judge that Mangione would oppose extradition to New York, where he is charged with murder and other crimes. That decision could delay the process by weeks but is unlikely to block his eventual transfer; for now, Mangione will remain in jail in Pennsylvania, where he faces gun and forgery charges. His attorney, Tom Dickey, said at a news conference that Mangione planned to plead not guilty to the charges. Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth's (UNH.N) , opens new tab insurance arm, one of the largest health insurers in the U.S., was shot dead on the morning of Dec. 4 outside a hotel in Manhattan in what police said was a targeted attack, sparking a manhunt that led to Mangione's arrest. More clues about his possible motivation were coming to light on Tuesday. When arrested, Mangione was in possession of a handwritten manifesto that offered insight into his mindset, according to police. The New York Times reported that an internal New York City Police report analyzing the document concluded that Mangione viewed the killing as a justified response to what he believed to be corruption in the healthcare industry. "These parasites simply had it coming," the manifesto said, according to the Times. Mangione suffered from chronic back pain that limited his daily life, according to friends, his social media postings and other news reports. His profile on X shows a background image of an x-ray with what appears to be screws and plates inserted in a lower back. An employee at TrueCar told Reuters that Mangione worked at the car-buying website as a data engineer from 2022 to late 2023. In mid-2023, Mangione took about two months off for what the employee's manager described as back-related issues. The employee, who asked not to be named, described Mangione as "incredibly smart" and very friendly to his co-workers. He said that the company offered employees health insurance through UnitedHealth as well as other choices, such as Aetna. From January through June 2022, Mangione lived at the Surfbreak co-living community in Honolulu, where he led a book club and surfed, hiked and rock-climbed, the founder of the group, R.J. Martin, told the Hawaiian outlet Civil Beat. Martin said Mangione had suffered back pain caused by misaligned vertebrae pinching Mangione's spinal cord, and he left for the mainland at some point for surgery. But he went "radio silent" in June or July, Martin told Civil Beat. Mangione never showed any indication of violence, Martin later told MSNBC. "The Luigi that I knew is completely incompatible with an assassin," he said, describing him as funny, kind and thoughtful. At one point, Mangione suggested Surfbreak's book club read the manifesto of Ted Kaczynski - the U.S. domestic bomber known as the Unabomber - as a joke, according to Martin. On the book-themed social media site Goodreads, a poster with Mangione's name praised Kaczynski's book "Industrial Society and Its Future" as "prescient" about modern society, called him an "extreme political revolutionary" and suggested violence was a legitimate form of resistance in some circumstances. Mangione was spotted at a McDonald's on Monday by an employee who thought he looked like the gunman in surveillance images released by police. Mangione, an Ivy League graduate who was also the valedictorian of a private all-boys school in Maryland, had a loaded ghost gun - an untraceable firearm assembled from parts - and a silencer, officials said on Monday. Both the weapon and his clothing closely resembled those used by the gunman. He also had multiple fake identifications, including a fraudulent New Jersey ID that matched the one used by the gunman to check into a Manhattan hostel days before the shooting, according to authorities. Mangione's family released a statement saying they knew only what had been reported in the media. "Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest," the family said in a statement posted to the X account of Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione. "We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved." The gunman managed to elude capture for days after the attack last Wednesday outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan. Thompson's murder unleashed a wave of frustration from Americans struggling to afford medical care and those who have been denied claims or care. Thompson, a father of two, had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021, part of a 20-year career with the company. He had been in New York to attend the company's annual investor conference. Sign up here. Reporting by Julio-Cesar Chavez in Altoona and Rich McKay in Atlanta; Additional reporting by Brad Brooks, Andrew Hay and Kanishka Singh; Writing by Joseph Ax; Editing by Paul Thomasch, Bill Berkrot and Rosalba O'Brien Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabBy: Staff Writer December 29, Colombo (LNW): Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has highlighted the potential for Sri Lanka’s economic revival by aligning with India’s rapid growth and technological progress. Speaking at the 7th Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, Wickremesinghe emphasized that coupling Sri Lanka’s recovery with India’s sustained development could steer the island nation away from the debt-driven model that dominated its economy for two decades. Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of the recent 2024 joint statement issued during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India. The statement proposes a shift from dependency on excessive borrowing to a collaborative economic strategy with India. He pointed out that India’s anticipated emergence as the third-largest global economy by 2040, alongside Tamil Nadu’s projected GDP exceeding $1 trillion, presents a critical opportunity for Sri Lanka to integrate regionally and tap into larger markets. Sri Lanka’s economic collapse in 2022, triggered by unsustainable debts and a balance of payments crisis, led to the country declaring bankruptcy. India extended emergency assistance with loans worth $4 billion, stabilizing the situation until the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout. However, domestic resistance to deeper economic cooperation with India persisted. Wickremesinghe recalled opposition from trade unions and political parties to initiatives like the Trincomalee oil tank farm project. Nonetheless, the pandemic and subsequent economic turmoil softened resistance, paving the way for a political consensus on closer ties with India. This consensus was evident in 2023 when Sri Lankan parties united to support the India-Sri Lanka economic partnership vision. The National People’s Power party, previously a critic of these linkages, also endorsed the 2024 joint statement during President Dissanayake’s recent visit. Wickremesinghe noted that Sri Lanka’s reliance on Chinese loans for large-scale infrastructure projects between 2000 and 2021 exacerbated its economic vulnerabilities. Projects like the Hambantota Port, funded with over $1 billion in Chinese loans, were eventually leased to a Chinese company for 99 years in 2017. Similarly, the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, financed by nearly $200 million in Chinese loans, has faced criticism for its inefficiencies. Efforts to establish a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between India and Sri Lanka date back to 2001 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s leadership. Despite progress in forming a joint study group and negotiations during Wickremesinghe’s tenure as Prime Minister, both leaders’ exits from office in 2004 stalled the initiative. While a Free Trade Agreement has been in place since 2000, a CEPA remains unrealized, despite its potential to deepen economic collaboration. As Sri Lanka seeks a sustainable growth model, Wickremesinghe’s vision underscores the strategic significance of leveraging India’s economic momentum. This evolving partnership marks a pivotal moment in the bilateral relationship, offering a pathway for Sri Lanka to transition from its debt-ridden past to a more resilient future.
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