The first guest invited to ring the bell to open trading at the New York Stock Exchange in 1956 wasn’t a company executive, a politician or a celebrity. It was a 10-year-old boy, Leonard Ross, who received the honor by winning a television quiz show. Since then, business titans, political giants and global film stars have all been among those ringing the opening bell at the NYSE. Ronald Reagan rang the bell as president in 1985. Billionaire businessman and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. have also rung the bell. The list even includes famous Muppets: Miss Piggy was once a bell ringer. President-elect Donald Trump joined that list Thursday when he opened trading at the famous stock exchange on Wall Street. He was accompanied by his wife, Melania, who interestingly enough received the honor before her husband. As first lady, she rang the bell in 2019 as part of her “Be Best” program. Bell-ringers are more commonly founders and executives chosen primarily from the exchange's more than 2,300 listed companies. Over the last few months, the guests have included executives from Alaska Air Group, Bath & Body Works, and Ally Financial. Stock trading around the location of the NYSE's current home has deep roots that trace back to the Dutch founding of New Amsterdam and when Wall Street had an actual wall. The NYSE traces its direct roots to the “Buttonwood Agreement” signed in 1792, which set rules for stock trading and commissions. The NYSE moved into its first permanent home in 1865. The first bell in use was actually a gong. The exchange moved into its current iconic building in 1903 and started using an electronically operated brass bell. That has evolved into synchronized bells in each of the NYSE’s four trading areas.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Former South Carolina Sen. Kay Patterson, who rose from cleaning offices at the segregated Statehouse to serving as a state legislator for over 30 years died Friday. He was 93. The South Carolina Democratic Party announced Patterson's death saying he “left an indelible mark on our state. Senator Patterson commanded everyone’s attention with his wit and wisdom.” The statement did not list a cause of death. Patterson was born in 1931 in Darlington County and raised by his grandmothers. They recalled his hardheaded spirit early, recommending he not take jobs as a golf caddy or shoe shiner because he was likely to mouth off to white people in segregated 1940s South Carolina and get in trouble. Instead, Patterson served in the military and then got his teaching degree through the GI Bill at Allen University. While in college, he cleaned offices at the segregated capitol where he and other Black people couldn't be unless they were working. "When I was a janitor, Black people couldn’t go in the Statehouse," Patterson said in a with the University of South Carolina. “And then one day I came back down here as a member of the House and then in '84, I came back sitting in the Senate as a senator. Now that’s a hell of a long way to come.” Patterson spent 30 years in education and was elected to the South Carolina House in 1974 and the Senate 10 years later after urged him to run for the upper chamber seat. In a statement, Clyburn called Patterson “a trusted leader, a tireless champion for civil rights, and a treasured friend. He was a person of strength, determination, wisdom, and a long proponent of removing from the .” Patterson was also the first Black person to serve on the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees since Reconstruction. Patterson was a key member of both the House and Senate, He served on the budget committees in both chambers and was a major voice in support of civil rights, public education and helping poor people. He adamantly demanded the Confederate flag be removed from atop the Statehouse dome and inside the House and Senate chambers long before they were taken down in 2000. The lifelong Democrat said the final years of his political career were the toughest after Republicans took over state government. His seniority no longer mattered and he felt many newer Republicans were religious hypocrites who claimed to help others but only cared for people just like themselves. A few years before he retired from the Statehouse, Patterson said it was important to respect elders and supervisors, but not be afraid to speak up if bothered or something was on one's mind. “That’s just my hallmark ever since I was a little child. It will get you in trouble now, but you can sleep well at night. And learn to treat everybody as human beings with respect,” Patterson said in the interview with the university's Champions of Civil and Human Rights in South Carolina program. “You can sleep real good at night. Right now, I’m 73 years old and sleep like a log when I go to bed because I know I’ve done no wrong to my fellow man,” Patterson said.In Pakistan's universities, students with disabilities, especially those who are blind or visually impaired face systemic barriers that limit their ability to access knowledge and succeed academically. Yet, their aspirations remain high and the potential for meaningful change is within reach. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as core values, Pakistani universities can transform into spaces where every student, regardless of ability, feels supported and empowered to achieve their dreams. With the right policies, accessible technology and community efforts, we can build a future where blind students are no longer marginalised but thrive as equal participants in their educational journey. In countries with advanced education systems, information and communication technology (ICT) and assistive devices have opened doors for visually impaired students, allowing them to access course materials and engage fully in academic life. However, the situation in Pakistan is starkly different. Most universities lag in adopting such technologies, leaving blind students dependent on human helpers for study assistance. When these helpers are unavailable or slow, students must compromise the quality of their academic work. Such limitations affect severely their learning outcomes and overall confidence. The challenges extend beyond academics. Social interaction, which is vital for personal growth and a well-rounded education, is often inaccessible to blind students. Isolation from peers and inadequate support from faculty and staff compound the difficulties they face. Even when universities provide assistive devices, a lack of training for both students and staff means these tools are underutilised, further widening the gap between blind students and their sighted peers. To address these issues, Pakistani universities must prioritise initiatives that promote accessibility and inclusivity. Key steps include: Developing accessible infrastructure tailored to the needs of visually impaired students. Conducting training programmes for teachers and administrative staff on using assistive technologies. Establishing resource centres that provide free access to assistive devices and specialised software. Launching project-based initiatives that support blind students in their academic and professional endeavours. Educators play a pivotal role in this transformation. Training programmes that equip teachers with the skills to adapt their teaching methods for visually impaired students are essential. Beyond teaching, educators must foster inclusive classrooms where blind students feel valued and supported. A shining example of progress in this area comes from Government College University (GCU), Lahore, where notable DEI steps were taken during the period 2019-2023. With support from the US-based charity 'Vision Without Barriers' (VWB), GCU restructured its Centre for Special Students (CSS), equipping it with modern computers and specialised software to improve educational outcomes for visually impaired students. User-friendly furniture was also introduced to create a more comfortable learning environment. Teachers at GCU underwent training programmes guided by special education experts to enhance their engagement with blind students. New academic programmes, including a BS (Hons) and M.Phil in Special Education, were launched to develop expertise in this crucial field. Initiatives like job fairs for special students and the establishment of the Special Ravians Student Society further demonstrated GCU's commitment to inclusion. Notably, blind cricket was added to the annual sports calendar, and a special Roll of Honour was introduced by the VWB to recognise the achievements of visually impaired graduates. These initiatives at GCU have started to serve as a model for other universities in Pakistan. The Independent Learning Centre (ILC) at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), which serves physically and visually challenged students, has also been upgraded with support from the VWB. The ILC has undergone renovations, including construction improvements, and is now equipped with advanced technology such as new desktop computers, monitors, and a braille embosser. The path to achieving diversity, equity and inclusion for blind students in Pakistan's universities is challenging but not impossible. Institutions like GCU have demonstrated that change is achievable through commitment, collaboration and innovative policies. By prioritising accessibility and inclusivity, Pakistani universities can ensure that every student, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to succeed. Blind students are not asking for charitythey are asking for the chance to contribute, thrive and shine. It is our collective responsibility to create an education system that empowers them to do so. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our
Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’Global stocks pressured ahead of Fed decision
Valladolid beats fellow struggler Valencia to move off the bottom of La Liga
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:24 p.m. EST
'Democracy and freedom': Jimmy Carter's human rights efforts in Latin America
DNC chair candidate says lack of gender diversity in the race is 'jarring': 'Conversation is way off'
Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers celebrated in the locker room Saturday after they wrapped up a playoff spot with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots . But even as they realized one goal by making the postseason, Harbaugh tried to keep things focused on the road ahead by stressing: “There's more to do.” The Chargers (10-6) go into the regular-season finale at Las Vegas knowing they will be at least the AFC's sixth seed and avoid a trip to Buffalo for the wild-card round. Los Angeles currently is in line to face Baltimore in a Harbaugh Bowl rematch, but it has an outside shot at the fifth seed and a trip to Houston if Cincinnati beats Pittsburgh next weekend. While Harbaugh credited his players for the turnaround from five wins last year to double-digit victories this season, Herbert gave most of it to Harbaugh and first-year general manager Joe Hortiz. “They have done such a great job of getting the right guys here. You look in the locker room and everybody plays for each other,” Herbert said. “(Harbaugh's) a competitor, and he wants to win no matter what it is. It definitely shows, and it’s the way everyone fights for him, wants to play for him, and respects him.” Harbaugh is the fifth coach in NFL history to win at least 10 games in his first season with two teams. He is also the eighth to make the playoffs in his first season with two teams. “Very little to do with me. If it goes right, then it’s our players. They’re doing a great job. It’s gone bad a couple times. That’s on me,” he said. “I’ve been drinking the Kool-Aid here from day one, I can’t give enough credit to Derwin James, Justin Herbert, and those two in particular. And Khalil Mack and Rashawn Slater. I mean, stalwarts. Brad Bozeman has come in. He’s been a stalwart. There’s a bunch. There’s probably, like — I counted it up early. There was maybe 15, 15 stalwarts that we had, and it’s grown since then.” Even though the Chargers are 3-5 against teams with winning records at the time they've played them, they are 7-1 against teams that were at or under .500. Four of those wins against opponents with losing records have come by at least 17 points, the first time since 2017 the Bolts have won that many games by as big a margin. Since halftime of their Dec. 19 game against Denver, the Chargers have outscored the Broncos and Patriots 61-13 over six quarters. “That’s the type of football we want to be playing in December, January, and hopefully on. That’s the type of football you want to be playing, especially in these big games like that. It was really good to see,” Herbert said. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman has said throughout the season it's tough to use the full playbook when the Chargers have short drives. They came into Saturday's game ranked 26th with only 23 possessions of at least 10 plays, but they had four against the Patriots, leading to three touchdowns and a field goal. It was the first time since Week 10 last season against Detroit they have had at least four drives of double-digit plays. Kickoff return coverage. The Chargers have allowed nine kick returns of at least 30 yards, eighth most in the league. New England's Alex Erickson had three returns for 90 yards, including 34 and 31 yards. RB J.K. Dobbins was activated off injured reserve and provided a boost to the offense with 76 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Dobbins, who missed four games due to a knee injury, has set career highs in scrimmage yards (983) and rushing yards (842) in his first season with the Chargers. WR D.J. Chark was targeted four times but didn't have a catch. Chark was signed during the offseason to provide experience and speed to a young receiver group. However, he missed the first half of the season with a hip injury and has played sparingly since his return. He has three receptions on the season. Three starters — RB Gus Edwards (ankle), LB Denzel Perryman (groin) and OG Trey Pipkins (hip) — were inactive. WR Joshua Palmer (heel) and DB Elijah Molden (shin) were injured in the second half. 77 and 1,054 — Receptions and receiving yards by Ladd McConkey, both records for a Chargers rookie. 5 — Consecutive seasons by Herbert with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes, tied with Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson for the most to start a career. 2 — Sacks by Derwin James Jr. against the Patriots, the first time in the safety's seven-year career he has had multiple sacks in a game. The Chargers go for their first season sweep of the Raiders since 2018 in the regular-season finale. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLBrowns star Garrett, on the cusp of 100 sacks, is driven to be the bestAKRON, Ohio (AP) — Authorities in Ohio have identified a 15-year-old youth as the person officials said was carrying a loaded weapon when he was shot and killed by an Akron police officer following gunshots in the area on Thanksgiving night. The Summit County medical examiner's office on Friday night identified the person shot as 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker of Maple Heights. Police said in a news release that two patrol officers were in a parked police cruiser in the Sherbondy Hill neighborhood as they worked on a report from an unrelated incident. They heard gunshots nearby just after 11 p.m. Thursday and got out to investigate, police said. Shortly afterward, the officers encountered the youth with a loaded firearm, police said. One of the officers fired, striking the youth, who was provided first aid and then taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said the officer who fired, who has been on the force for nearly five years, and his partner were placed on paid administrative leave per department policy. The Fraternal Order of Police Akron Lodge No. 7 said in a social media post that its members were cooperating with investigators. Mayor Shammas Malik said in a social media post Friday night that “Every loss of life is a tragedy, and to lose a young life is heartbreaking." He offered condolences to Tucker's loved ones and said his thoughts were also with “our Akron police officers and their families.” Malik said he believed the investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation would provide “a full understanding of the incident.” “I ask our community to reserve judgment until more facts are shared, knowing that it is a difficult thing to ask in situations like this,” he said. Malik also said the city would release body-worn camera footage within the next week “to provide transparency into this incident.” The state attorney general’s office will review the results of the bureau's investigation before submitting the report to a Summit County grand jury for evaluation. Akron police will also do a separate internal investigation and provide the results to the police chief and the city’s police auditor.
Taste of Mexico: AtoleThis January 2018, file photo provided by the Chicago Police Department shows Marilyn Hartman. ... [+] Hartman, who authorities say is a serial stowaway, pleaded not guilty Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 after she was accused of flying ticketless from Chicago to London. A judge released the 66-year-old woman after the Jan. 18 incident and told her to stay away from airports. However Hartman was arrested again at O’Hare International Airport about a week later. She was sentenced to 42 months in prison in 2022. (Chicago Police Department via AP, File) On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, a woman later identified as Svetlana Dali, 57, arrived at New York’s JFK Airport. She went through security and boarded Delta flight 264 to Paris. Just one problem: she didn’t have a ticket or a boarding pass. She was a stowaway. Somehow, she went through TSA security screening at JFK, avoiding identity verification and boarding status stations to get abroad the plane. She then apparently hid in a lavatory, switching to a different one until she could find a seat on the not-full flight. She was eventually arrested on landing in Paris. Dali was returned to New York by French authorities a few days later, although she had an outburst on the aircraft and had to be restrained. Dali, a U.S. permanent resident originally from Russia, appeared in a federal court in Brooklyn on Dec. 6. At the hearing it was revealed that she had previously tried to board a plane at Miami International Airport in February. She walked into the “arrivals” section, then worked her way into customs, then into departures, where she tried and failed to get on board aircraft. Despite this history, she was released without bail. The judge did stipulate she had to meet a detailed set of conditions. Dali, who was apparently homeless, had to agree to stay with a friend from church in Philadelphia, submit to wearing a GPS monitoring device, receive a mental health evaluation, and surrender any travel documents. Is Dali’s stowaway flight to Paris a one-in-a-billion fluke? Not according to CNN aviation analyst Mary Schiavo, former inspector general for the US Department of Transportation. “It’s a really big deal and it leaves our vulnerabilities exposed to the world,” she said in a CNN story . “Everyone knows the threats are out there and the TSA just failed horribly, as did Delta Air Lines. So if people approach this properly, this could be the wake-up call that we need to keep flyers and the people over whose heads we fly safe.” iOS 18.2—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users Microsoft Warns 400 Million Windows Users—Do Not Update Your PC Selena Gomez And Benny Blanco Are Engaged—And The Internet Has Opinions Travelers stand in a long line for security screening at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International ... [+] Airport on June 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says they are anticipating a "sustained period of high passenger volumes" that will break previous travel records. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) How the TSA and local, national and international security agencies respond is, so to speak, up in the air. But it’s worth noting that Dali’s dalliance with Delta is hardly the first stowaway incident that raises security concerns. In November 2021, a disheveled stowaway emerged from an electrical compartment of an airliner in Miami, after an American Airlines flight from Guatemala City. Airport workers asked him in Spanish if he was OK and gave him water, after three hours flying at temperatures ranging from -40 to -70 degrees. Incredibly, the man, 26-year-old Jehffrey Gutirres, 26, was arrested again in May of 2023. He was charged with trespassing for sneaking into a compartment of another American Airlines at Bush Intercontinental Airport. The compartment contained critical steering and hydraulic components, with police saying Gutirres possibly putting the lives of 166 passengers in “grave danger.” His destination? Miami. Gutirres was apparently trying to escape prosecution for yet another stowaway attempt in April of that year. He had climbed an airport fence and run across the tarmac to the aircraft. A third stowaway, Marilyn Hartman, is so well known that she has her own Wikipedia page . Known as the “serial stowaway,” Hartman’s claim to fame is stowing away on at least 22 commercial airline flights since 2014. During most of that time, she was living in Chicago-area mental health facilities. Hartman reportedly flew to Copenhagen, Paris, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Jacksonville and London, using "techniques" like picking up a discarded boarding pass or using her hair to cover her face. An official from the Lycee Municipal Simone Ehivet Gbagbo school shows a 'disappeared' poster with ... [+] an image of missing 14-year-old Ivorian schoolboy Ani Guibahi Laurent Barthelemy, in Abidjan on January 10, 2020. The child stowaway Ani Guibahi Laurent Barthelemy, was found dead in the undercarriage of an Air France Boeing 777, that took off late at night on January 7, arriving at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport early January 8, after a flight lasting six and a half hours. CCTV footage shows the child "clung onto the aircraft's undercarriage as it was preparing for takeoff." (Photo by SIA KAMBOU/AFP via Getty Images) Hartman, 73, whose attorneys said she was mentally ill and homeless, was sentenced to 42 months in prison in 2022. So her “compulsive” stowaway behavior is at least temporarily arrested. Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn said Hartman's conduct showed "no hint of menace, but plenty of pathos , paranoia, and confusion." He argued against imprisonment and for mental health treatment, noting she had had revealed "holes and vulnerabilities in airport security." Stowaways, once viewed as plucky, charming eccentrics, are a romantic staple of literature and film. The popular children’s book , By The Great Hornspoon! , is a historical fiction about a stowaway and his butler during the California gold rush. Marilyn Hartman was called a real-life Ada Quonsett, after the "harmless little old lady and habitual stowaway" character, played by Helen Hayes, in the 1970 movie Airport . But today’s flight stowaways run a much higher risk of arrest or death. Many are actually migrants, seeking to escape grinding poverty. Some have hidden in the wheel wells of aircraft, only to fall to their death when the landing gear deploys. Others have frozen to death on a long flight at 35,000 feet, where the temperature can reach -54°C (-65°F). Such stowaways also create a risk for the paying passengers and crew of the aircraft. The 9/11 attacks 23 years ago remain the deadliest day in airline history. Four American airliners were taken over by 19 hijackers and used as weapons. The final death toll was just under 3,000 people. Three Florida airports were among the top 10 for weapons seizures in the United States in 2019, a ... [+] year in which authorities confiscated more firearms than at any other time since the formation of the TSA. (Sun Sentinel file photo/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) All of the hijackers were ticketed passengers. Since that time security has been greatly enhanced. Boarding passes and identification are checked. The pilot’s door has been reinforced and is locked, air marshals are frequently in attendance, and for all our irritation, the TSA screens millions of passengers each day. Last year alone, TSA found and seized over 6700 firearms . With all this, it is incredible that unticketed passengers are still slipping onto international flights in 2024. The security camera video at JFK reportedly show Dali “blending in” with a flight crew. Then at the gate TSA sources said she put herself amidst a family traveling together as they presented multiple tickets and passports at once. CNN’s aviation expert, Schiavo, was not impressed by TSA’s explanation. “This is no excuse,” Schiavo said. “They are supposed to treat each person as a separate security threat. The TSA mantra is ‘every passenger, every time.’ They are not supposed to treat groups any differently than solo. Each person must be identified and have a ticket.” Passengers on Dali’s flight to Paris were not told a ‘harmless stowaway’ was onboard. Instead, the pilot told fliers to stay seated as French police boarded to deal with “a serious security issue,” one passenger told CNN. Passengers go through security check by TSA at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday, Jan. ... [+] 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) TSA spokespeople said that investing in electronic gate technology, or e-gates, integrated with facial recognition systems at checkpoints, might help prevent such stowaway incidents. Technology may well be part of a solution. But as stowaways have shown over and over again, security remains a very human problem.
Kennedy Jr.'s Romanian Rendezvous: Politics and Publishing Collide
Here’s What ‘December 3’ Trend Means on TikTokAre you thinking of signing up with PlayGrand Casino but need to know more first? Finding out the full lowdown on any casino is super-important before registering, as it means you know if it’s right for you. Our overview of PlayGrand Casino is the ideal way to find out just what it offers to gamers in Canada and why it is one of the best sites to play at. When testing this platform out, I was keen to dig down into all the main areas any decent casino excels in – from bonuses to customer support, mobile play, safety and more. Read on to find out what makes PlayGrand so fantastic and why I rate it so highly. If you’re looking for a site with one of the best welcome offers for Canadian players , I definitely recommend PlayGrand Casino. I found its up to $1,000 bonus and 100 free spins offer for new customers to be one of the best around. I also liked how this promotion came with clear terms to read and a fairly low x35 wagering requirement. This made it simple to totally understand the bonus before signing up to claim it. This turned out to be easy, as I just deposited $500 after creating my account and instantly got the bonus money credited to play with. The fair terms also meant I had a good chance of wagering my bonus amount through – which I did eventually, and before the 30-day expiry period ended. While the welcome bonus at this casino was something I really liked, I found the choice of ongoing promos a little underwhelming. Let’s hope the people behind PlayGrand Casino rectify this soon and bring in things like cashback, prize wheel and other industry-standard bonuses for users. I was also disappointed to see no active loyalty or VIP program when testing this site out. I love being able to play games on the move and am always on my tablet spinning the reels or playing a live table game online. I found the seamless mobile casino app from PlayGrand Casino perfect for this when I tested it out. Available to download for both iOS and Android devices, the app’s superior performance made using it a real joy. I simply found it on the App Store, clicked to download it and then opened it up with one tap. Once using the app, I was pleased to see it offered the same good looks as the desktop site, and smooth, lag-free navigation between games. When reviewing this Canadian casino platform, I was impressed by the wide choice of games across multiple diverse categories. This amounted to over 1,000 at the time of testing and included games in these categories: As well as a large selection of top games, such as Buffalo King Megaways and Gigantoonz, I was very happy to find some of the biggest studios in iGaming here. From Blueprint to Elk Studio, Evolution Gaming, Microgaming and more, it was very reassuring to play at a casino that partners only with legitimate developers. It also meant that the games I tried here were packed full of cool bonus features and boasted some interesting themes. For me, the high-paying RTP slots at PlayGrand were a real selling point and I was drawn to them immediately. Big Bamboo from Push Gaming was my first port of call and came with a superb 96.13% RTP figure. It also had a relaxing atmosphere and an Asian/Zen-type theme to explore. Wanted Dead or a Wild from Hacksaw Gaming impressed with its exciting sound FX and 96.38% RTP. It showed just why this iGaming studio is building up a stellar reputation in the sector. Retro Tapes from Push Gaming is another high RTP game at PlayGrand and had sharply-drawn graphics to enjoy. The major special feature of this online casino in Canada for me was the various categories of games to look over. It’s common to see different sites offering slots, keno, Slingo, live games, scratch cards, jackpot games and table games – but not as common to see them all in one place. This really helped PlayGrand Casino stand out to me when testing it, and gave me lots of choice in terms of what to try. Having games across so many categories to pick from meant I never got bored here and always had something new to check out. I always look carefully at the payment options any casino has when testing it. This helps me to see whether the site in question makes it safe and easy to deposit or withdraw money. PlayGrand Casino scored well for this, in my opinion, as they had a good choice of secure payment options to select from. For deposits, this included Visa, Mastercard, Interac, bank transfer, Trustly, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal and Paysafecard. I liked the casino's low minimum deposit of $10 here and also thought the $7,500 daily deposit limit was enough for all but the highest rollers. When I was ready to withdraw my winnings, this was easy to do by heading to the cashier page, clicking to make a withdrawal and finding the payment option I preferred. I went with Visa debit card as this is a method I know how to use well, and entered how much I wanted to withdraw, before confirming the transaction. Here’s a more detailed rundown of the withdrawal options I discovered when playing at this casino: When testing this casino out, I really liked the 24/7 live chat feature that made it easy to get help quickly when I had a query about wagering on the welcome offer. I just clicked the ‘Live Chat’ option at the bottom of the home page and then the ‘Live Chat’ button again to speak to an agent. I found the person I spoke to polite, professional and happy to help. All in all, I got my issue resolved in a couple of minutes before getting back to the action. For those who don’t have time to chat, I also found it possible to email support at support@playgrand.com. To test this option out, I sent a quick email about where to find their FAQ page and was impressed to get a response back the same day. Due to this, I can also confirm that this site has a Help Center that is simple to use and has lots of information to help with more basic queries. Security is essential for players in Canada, and I noticed that PlayGrand Casino really went the extra mile to keep me safe. This included using cutting-edge data encryption on site and KYC protocols to prevent fraud. I double-checked what licenses this platform held and was reassured to see it was licensed to operate by the Malta Gaming Authority. This left me feeling sure that the casino always treated me fairly – a feeling that was confirmed the more I played there and the more I experienced how well run it is. I noticed right away that PlayGrand Casino took responsible gambling seriously and did everything possible to help me gamble more sensibly. Their page on responsible gambling, for example, was easy to find at the bottom of the home page and full of useful information when I clicked on it. This included clear explanations of all the tools for safer gambling and what they all meant. After reading this information, I left with a much better understanding of how to gamble sensibly and what tools to use if I needed help. PlayGrand Casino had already done enough to impress me but stood out even more when I compared it with others on a few key points. I think that it outstrips Lemon Casino in terms of new player bonuses, for example, as the maximum amount at PlayGrand is higher. I found that this site also stacked up favorably against Hot Streak Slots Casino when it came to payment options and had a better selection overall. By now, you’ll have read enough to decide whether this is the casino in Canada for you. My personal take on this platform is that it’s one of the best around and has a lot going for it. This leaves me more than happy to recommend it and highlight it as a safe, secure and user-friendly place to play. PlayGrand Casino has much to like, and I was certainly impressed with the professional 24/7 live chat feature it has. I also found there a good choice of payment options here, which made depositing and withdrawing money via my preferred method possible. I thought this site also rated well for its generous welcome bonus and a diverse choice of games in multiple categories. As with all online casinos I play at, this platform could make some small tweaks to become even better. A bigger overall number of games is a good example and is something for the owners to consider. A better range of ongoing promos for existing users is also something I would like to see and would help it compete with competitors in this area. Daniel Smyth Daniel Smyth has seen the online poker, casino, and betting industry from every angle. He previously played poker semi-professionally before working at WPT Magazine as a writer and editor. From there, he transitioned to online gaming where he’s been producing expert content for over 10 years. Follow Daniel on Twitter @DanSmythThePoet Commercial content notice: Taking one of the casino offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 19+. T&Cs apply. Responsible Gambling Council A responsible gambler is someone who: For help with a gambling problem, call the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on 1 800 463-2338.
J.K. Dobbins and Alohi Gilman are placed on injured reserve by ChargersWhile Clippers Nation and other parts of the NBA world await the return of star Kawhi Leonard, his teammates haven’t been sitting idly while his right knee recovers. They have won games that they had no business winning and are taking care of games that they should win – all without their star player. The Clippers are 18-13 and have a chance to improve upon that during a three-game trip that begins Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Kawhi? “We’re not thinking about Kawhi coming back yet,” center Ivica Zubac said, in a moment of honesty. When Leonard does return – Jan. 4 reportedly is a good bet – he will find a Clippers team that has developed a solid chemistry, come to rely on James Harden for leadership and Norman Powell for points and built a reputation for stingy defense. “We want to win games, we want to win every game no matter who’s out there and we got it done,” Zubac added. “No matter how it looks, we gotta win. We’re going to play hard; we’re going to defend. “Some nights we’re not going to shoot well, or we’re not going to defend, but one thing we can do every night is play defense. That’s what this team is going to do, we’re going to play hard and play tough on the defensive end and that’s going to give us a chance to win.’ With or without Leonard. “We just focus on what we can control and be in the moment,” Harden said. “Whenever that happens, (we’ll) get to that bridge when it comes. But we’re focused on the next game and the games that we’re in.” Don’t mistake the players’ insouciant attitude for not caring about their superstar teammate. They want Leonard back but can’t get caught up in the hoopla and speculation. They have at least three more games to play without Leonard, who stayed behind to get in more reps before the Clippers’ next home game. “It’s been next man up all year,” said Powell, who is averaging 24.4 points and shooting 46.6% from the 3-point range in Leonard’s absence. “When Kawhi comes back, they’ll figure it out. That’s not our job. Our job is to figure out our new roles and make it all work. “We all are pulling in the same direction. We all continue trying to prove everybody wrong and how they view us, and the job is to be ready for a deep playoff run. That’s how we see it.” When Leonard does return, (Jan. 4 has been rumored) there certainly will be changes in the lineup, players will need to sacrifice either minutes, points or both. “Everybody’s going to have to sacrifice and Kawhi comes back,” Powell added. “I mean, he’s a franchise player, but good thing about this team is we have no egos. We all want to win. We all got something to prove and we’re doing it together.” Harden said Leonard is aware how his comeback could upset what has been building all season. But the veteran point guard believes Leonard’s return will be seamless. The Clippers will continue to play aggressive defense and attack the basket. “We’re still going to put it the same way. It’s just now we got another elite weapon on both ends of the floor, so it’s definitely a bonus for us.”
AP News Summary at 9:54 a.m. ESTBOSTON , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors (the "Board") of The China Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") has declared a distribution in the amount of $0.1497 per share. The distribution is comprised entirely of ordinary income. The dividend will be payable on January 10, 2025 , to stockholders of record on December 30, 2024 , with an ex-dividend date of December 30, 2024 . The Fund has a Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the "Plan") in which each stockholder automatically participates, unless the stockholder instructs Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the "Plan Agent"), in writing, to have all distributions, net of any applicable U.S. withholding tax, paid in cash. If the Fund's shares are trading at a premium to the net asset value ("NAV") per share of the Fund on the distribution payment date, the Plan provides that stockholders will be issued Fund shares valued at NAV. If the Fund's shares are trading at a discount to the NAV per share, stockholders will be issued shares of the Fund valued at market price. Stockholders will not be charged a fee in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. A stockholder may terminate his or her participation in the Plan by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at the address below. Stockholders who have questions regarding the distribution may contact EQ Fund Solutions, LLC at 1-888-CHN-CALL (246-2255). The Fund is a closed-end management investment company with the objective of seeking long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities (i) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is in the People's Republic of China (" China "), or (ii) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is outside of China , or constituting direct equity investments in companies organized outside of China , that in both cases derive at least 50% of their revenues from goods and services sold or produced, or have at least 50% of their assets, in China . While the Fund is permitted to invest in direct equity investments of companies organized in China , it presently holds no such investments. The Fund's shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CHN." The Fund's investment manager is Matthews International Capital Management, LLC. For more information regarding the Fund and the Fund's holdings, please call 1-888-CHN-CALL (246-2255) or visit the Fund's website at www.chinafundinc.com . For more information about the Plan or to terminate your participation in the Plan, please contact Computershare Trust Company, N.A. at c/o The China Fund, Inc. at P.O. Box 43078, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078, by telephone at 1-800-426-5523 or via the Internet at www.computershare.com/investor . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-china-fund-inc-declares-distributions-302331625.html SOURCE The China Fund, Inc.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — J.K. Dobbins will miss at least the next four games after the Los Angeles Chargers placed the running back on injured reserve Saturday. The team also placed safety Alohi Gilman on injured reserve and signed safety Tony Jefferson to the active roster. Dobbins sprained the MCL in his left knee late in the first half of the Chargers’ 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday. Dobbins is fourth in the AFC in rushing with 766 yards and averages 4.8 yards per carry, third highest among AFC running backs with at least 100 carries. He has been considered among the candidates for AP Comeback Player of the Year after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in last season’s opener. Gus Edwards will be counted on to be the lead back in Dobbins' absence. Edwards missed four games during the middle of the season because of an ankle injury and has 25 carries for 93 yards in three games since returning to the lineup. The Chargers are 7-4 and hold the sixth seed in the AFC going into Sunday's game at NFC South leader Atlanta (6-5). Los Angeles is at Kansas City (10-1) in a prime-time game on Dec. 8, hosts Tampa Bay (5-6) on Dec. 15 and Denver (7-5) on Dec. 19. Gilman suffered a hamstring injury in the loss to the Ravens. He has 47 tackles, which is fifth on the team, along with one sack. Los Angeles also elevated cornerback Dicaprio Bootle and linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflMiddle East latest: Israeli strikes kill a hospital director in Lebanon and wound 6 medics in Gaza