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PALERMO, Calif. (AP) — Two children were wounded Wednesday in a shooting at a tiny religious K-8 school in Northern California and deputies arrived to find the gunman on the ground near the playground, dead after apparently shooting himself, sheriff’s officials said. The children were taken to nearby hospitals and their conditions were not immediately known. One was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Officials did not share information about their ages nor genders. The shooting occurred at about 1 p.m. at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists, a private school in Palermo with fewer than three dozen students. Palermo has about 5,500 people and is about 65 miles (104 km) north of Sacramento. It was the the latest among dozens of school shootings across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut ; Parkland, Florida ; and Uvalde, Texas . The shootings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to doing active shooter drills in their classrooms. But school shootings have done little to move the needle on national gun laws. Firearms were the leading cause of death among children in 2020 and 2021, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. “My heart is breaking for everyone impacted by this tragedy,” Assemblyman James Gallagher, whose area includes Palermo, said in a statement. “As a community, we’ll all be hugging our loved ones closer today as we pray for the victims and try to make sense of something so senseless.” Related Articles National News | 3 US Army soldiers arrested on human smuggling charges along the border with Mexico National News | White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign National News | Powell: Fed’s independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions National News | US senators grill airline officials about fees for seats and checked bags National News | California ranks No. 9 for economic ‘balance’ between bosses and workers Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea said the shooter did not appear to have a connection to the school, and the motive was not immediately known. They were working to identify him. Near the school’s slide and other playground equipment was the shooter’s body, covered in a blue tarp, as officers stood nearby to secure the scene. The school abuts ranchland where cattle graze. Honea said 911 calls reported “an individual on campus who had fired shots at students.” When deputies arrived they found the gunman on the ground, dead after apparently shooting himself, Honea said. Authorities rushed students off the grounds and to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene to be reunited with their families, the sheriff’s office said. Representatives for the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists could not immediately be reached for comment. The school has been open since 1965, according to its website.Three pro-BNP bodies want India to stop misinformation
CHICAGO (AP) — Two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid returned to the Philadelphia 76ers' starting lineup against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. After missing his first seven shots and ambling deliberately in his left knee brace in the first quarter, the 2023 MVP went on a tear to propel the Sixers to a 108-100 win over the Chicago Bulls. Embiid connected on eight of his next 10 shots in the second quarter for his first 19 points of the game, which lifted Philadelphia to a 62-50 halftime lead. The Sixers stretched it to 19 before holding on for their fourth win in five games, and Embiid finished with 31. “I just got lucky and started making shots,” Embiid deadpanned when he talked to reporters almost 90 minutes after the game. “We just missed shots and we adjusted and we got them in.” Embiid, a seven-time All-Star, added 12 rebounds in his fifth game this season. The 7-foot center had missed the previous seven games because of knee injuries and a three-game suspension for pushing a sports columnist. Embiid finished slightly above his career average of nearly 27.8 points per game in 33 minutes. The Sixers don't play again until Friday thanks to the NBA Cup, so coach Nick Nurse planned to give his star ample work Sunday with a break and recovery time ahead. “All of a sudden he certainly caught fire there with a little bit of variety,” Nurse said. “I know a lot of it seemed like foul-line jumpers, which it was. He snuck in a roll or two and a couple of post-ups. It gave us a lot of confidence.” The Sixers trailed 33-23 after the first quarter. Behind Embiid and a 16-0 run in the second, they took the lead for good. Chicago got within four points twice in the fourth, but Philadelphia closed it out. “We guarded really well and we rebounded extremely well at both ends,” Nurse said. Tyrese Maxey got his first career triple-double as part of the winning formula and clicked with Embiid. Maxey finished with 25 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. “It was great, that's who he is,” Maxey said of Embiid. “After he got in the game it's easy, it was easier, man. There was a lot more space out there.” The All-Star trio of Embiid, Maxey and Paul George (12 points) played together for only the second game this season. “Obviously we've got the connection,” Embiid said. "We know when things are not going right, what we need to do. Now it's up to us to make the shots and the plays. “After that first quarter, it just felt like we needed to take more of an ownership as far as getting us back in the game. They're great players.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nbaUncovering the richness of African locust bean in traditional cooking
Police hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's masked killer after 'brazen, targeted' attack on NYC street NEW YORK (AP) — A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said, adding that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. Hegseth fights to save Pentagon nomination as sources say Trump considers DeSantis WASHINGTON (AP) — A defiant Pete Hegseth fought to save his nomination to be Donald Trump's defense secretary Wednesday as the president-elect considered possible replacements in the face of growing questions about the former Fox News host's personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation. Hegseth met with legislators on Capitol Hill, conducted a radio interview and released an opinion article denying allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. He insisted he was “not backing down one bit," that Trump was still supporting him and he planned to return Thursday for more meetings with lawmakers. But the president-elect's team was looking at alternatives including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump himself remained quiet about Hegseth while issuing a flurry of statements on social media Wednesday about other nominees and his news coverage. Hegeth, asked if he'd meet with Trump on Thursday, said he'd meet with him “anytime he'd like." Hegseth is the latest nominee-designate to be imperiled by personal baggage after the recent withdrawal of Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vulnerabilities were well-documented. But Hegseth’s past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies, was not widely known. Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on medical treatments for transgender minors WASHINGTON (AP) — Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, the Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people, showcasing the uneasy intersection between law, politics and individual rights. The Biden administration's top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender healthcare for minors. In arguments that lasted more than two hours, five of the six conservative justices voiced varying degrees of skepticism of arguments made by the administration and Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer for Tennessee families challenging the ban. Peter Navarro served prison time related to Jan. 6. Now Trump is bringing him back as an adviser WASHINGTON (AP) — Former White House adviser Peter Navarro, who served prison time related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, will return to serve in Donald Trump’s second administration, the president-elect announced Wednesday. Navarro, a trade adviser during Trump’s first term, will be a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, Trump said on Truth Social. The position, Trump wrote, “leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience, while harnessing his extensive Policy analytic and Media skills.” The appointment was only the first in a flurry of announcements that Trump made on Wednesday as his presidential transition faced controversy over Pete Hegseth, Trump’s choice for Pentagon chief. Hegseth faces allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement, and Trump has considered replacing him with another potential nominee. As he works to fill out his team, Trump said he wanted Paul Atkins, a financial industry veteran and an advocate for cryptocurrency, to serve as the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He wrote on Truth Social that Atkins “recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before.” Trump also said he was changing course on his choice for White House counsel. He said his original pick, William McGinley, will work with the Department of Government Efficiency, which will be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with the goal of cutting federal spending. Now David Warrington, who has worked as Trump’s personal lawyer and a lawyer for his campaign, will serve as White House counsel. Israeli strikes on a Gaza tent camp kill at least 21 people, hospital says KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes tore through a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza on Wednesday, sparking fires and killing at least 21 people, according to the head of a nearby hospital, in the latest assault on a sprawling tent city that Israel designated a humanitarian safe zone but has repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strike on the Muwasi tent camp was one of several deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. An Israeli attack in central Gaza killed at least 10 more people, including four children, according to Palestinian medics. Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of ending after nearly 14 months. Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages, and most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is reliant on international food aid to survive. Israel is also pressing a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say Palestinians might be experiencing famine. The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push for a Gaza ceasefire now that there's a truce in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, ending more than a year of cross-border fighting. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump demanded this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. South Korean President Yoon's martial law declaration raises questions over his political future SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning martial law declaration lasted just hours, but experts say it raised serious questions about his ability to govern for the remaining 2 1/2 years of his term and whether he will abide by democratic principles. The opposition-controlled parliament overturned the edict, and his rivals on Wednesday took steps to impeach him. One analyst called his action “political suicide.” Yoon’s political fate may depend on whether a large number of people in coming days take to the streets to push for his ouster. Here's a look at the political firestorm caused by the martial law declaration, the first of its kind in more than 40 years. Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law on Tuesday night was accompanied by a pledge to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces at a single stroke.” He vowed to protect the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” Yoon, a conservative, cited repeated attempts by his liberal rivals in control of parliament to impeach his top officials and curtail key parts of his budget bill for next year. French lawmakers vote to oust prime minister in the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962 PARIS (AP) — France’s far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined together Wednesday in a historic no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet members to resign, a first since 1962. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after July’s legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament. Macron will address the French on Thursday evening, his office said, without providing details. Barnier is expected to formally resign by then. A conservative appointed in September, Barnier becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in France’s modern Republic. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. Harris found success with women who have cats, but Trump got the dog owner vote: AP VoteCast WASHINGTON (AP) — The lead-up to the 2024 election was all about cat owners. But in the end, the dogs had their day. President-elect Donald Trump won slightly more than half of voters who own either cats or dogs, with a big assist from dog owners, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. Dog owners were much more likely to support the Republican over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Cat owners were split between the two candidates. About two-thirds of voters said they own a dog or cat, but pet owners don't usually get much attention from politicians. This year, however, past comments by Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, about “childless cat ladies” briefly became a campaign issue — and Taylor Swift signed her Instagram endorsement of Harris in September as “Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady.” Harris did end up decisively winning support from women who owned a cat but not a dog. Still, those voters were a relatively small slice of the electorate, and pet owners as a whole did not seem to hold Vance's remarks against the GOP ticket. Childless or not, women who only owned a cat were more likely to support Harris than were dog owners, or voters who had a cat and a dog. About 6 in 10 women who owned a cat but not a dog supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast. She did similarly well among women who did not own either kind of pet.FBI director says he intends to resign at end of Joe Biden’s termCOLEEN Rooney will have a surprise reunion with her youngest sons in an I’m A Celebrity tear-jerker. The mother of four is expecting a jungle visit from only her mum in a “friends and families” episode. A source said seeing Kit, eight, and Cass, six, will turn her “into a blubbering mess”. Friends and relatives of stars were sneaked into camp in last year’s show for the first time since 2018 — but insiders say Coleen would be expecting to see only her mum. A source said: “Everyone knows how much Coleen loves her boys, and it would be one of the most heart-warming moments of the series. “It’s a really special part of the show, and there’s no doubt Coleen would be a blubbering mess — as would the millions of viewers watching at home. It’s going to be such a surprise for her.” Read more on Coleen Rooney Coleen, wife of former Manchester United and England ace Wayne , is wearing a necklace with their four sons’ names and touches it on screen to let them know she is thinking of them. She revealed before entering the camp that Kai, 15, and Klay, 11, decided to stay at home while Kit and Cass were travelling with her mum to meet her when she leaves. It is believed that ITV bosses and Ant and Dec realised it was a “too good an opportunity” to miss. Wayne, 39, cannot be there due to his commitments as manager of Championship team Plymouth Argyle. The friends and family segment usually happens in the third week, when there are five or six celebs remaining. Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 By that time Coleen, 38, will have been away for nearly three weeks, having flown out a week before the show started on November 17. She left the boys a box of jungle-themed props to wear at home in Cheshire while she is on TV. A source said: “The boys have some jungle-style hats, and khaki items of clothing and bandanas. “They’re really enjoying seeing her each night, especially as it means the younger ones get to stay up a bit later than usual.” Before the first episode aired last Sunday, Coleen’s Instagram page shared messages of support from her kids. Video showed Kai saying: “Hi Mum. I just want to say good luck.” Cass said: "Good luck, mum. Do your best.” Kit added: “Good luck in the jungle, Mum. Hope you win lots of stars. I love you.” I can’t wait to watch you on the telly later. And Klay declared: “I can’t wait to watch you on the telly later. Good luck. I love you.” The Sun on Sunday revealed Coleen signed for the show in a deal reputed to be worth more than £1.5million. READ MORE SUN STORIES Last night Wayne urged fans to vote for Coleen to do Bushtucker trials. He posted online: “Proud of @coleen_rooney on @imacelebrity 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 #ImACeleb app and let’s get voting.” i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz , Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street , was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women . She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher . Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan . It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth."
CBS has offered fans a tantalizing glimpse of what Young Sheldon Season 8 might have delivered had the beloved sitcom continued its journey. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Despite its immense popularity as television's top comedy, Young Sheldon concluded its run due to its ties to The Big Bang Theory and the need to honor established continuity. However, CBS’s latest updates shed light on what fans missed and how the story of the Coopers lives on through the spinoff, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, as mentioned in a report by Screenrant. Why Young Sheldon Ended Despite Its Success Young Sheldon concluded at the height of its success, delivering show-high ratings during its final season. While many hoped for a renewal, the show’s creators, led by Chuck Lorre, chose to align its ending with The Big Bang Theory canon. Two pivotal events tied to Sheldon’s backstory—George Cooper’s death and Sheldon’s move to California for postgraduate studies—took place in 1994, marking a natural conclusion for the series. 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View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program These events unfolded in an emotional finale that bid farewell to the Cooper family’s on-screen journey. Yet, the lingering curiosity about what could have been in Young Sheldon Season 8 has kept fans yearning for more. A New Chapter: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage The story of the Coopers continues in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage , a spinoff that follows Georgie and Mandy as they navigate life as a young couple and parents to Baby Cece. Picking up shortly after the Young Sheldon finale, the new series shifts focus to the McAllisters, an extended family introduced to add fresh dynamics to the narrative. While Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage centers on the titular couple, it often features cameos from Cooper family members, keeping the legacy of Young Sheldon alive. The pilot episode reunited fans with Mary and Meemaw, while subsequent episodes brought Missy back into the fold. These appearances not only delight fans but also offer a glimpse of how the Coopers are coping in the aftermath of George’s death. Thanksgiving Special Hints at Young Sheldon Season 8 One of the most special moments in the spinoff came during the Thanksgiving episode, where the Coopers reunited to navigate their grief. Mary, Meemaw, Missy, and Georgie shared the screen, bringing back the familial warmth and emotional depth that defined Young Sheldon . The holiday special teased what Young Sheldon Season 8 could have been—a blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling centered on the Coopers coping with loss while adjusting to life without Sheldon. Georgie’s new responsibilities as a husband and father, coupled with Mary’s struggle to move forward, offered a compelling look at their evolving dynamics. Will Young Sheldon Season 8 Ever Happen? While Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is gaining traction with strong ratings and frequent appearances by familiar characters, the possibility of a Young Sheldon Season 8 seems unlikely. The spinoff has taken over as the primary continuation of the Cooper family’s story, making a revival redundant. However, for fans of Young Sheldon , the legacy of the show lives on through its spinoff, which continues to explore the family’s journey with the same blend of humor and heart that made the original series a success. FAQs Will there be a season 8 of Young Sheldon? Despite its status as CBS's No. 1 comedy since 2017, Young Sheldon was not renewed for an eighth season, as the network confirmed in November 2023. Why did Young Sheldon end? Executive producer Steve Holland explained that concluding Young Sheldon with Season 7 was the most logical decision, as it aligned with the timeline previously established in The Big Bang Theory. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )San Antonio Property Division Lawyer Linda Leeser Releases Insights on Property Owned Before Marriage in TexasA thrill ride manufacturer that has designed a 1,000-foot-tall roller coaster that would shatter all height and speed records is looking for a theme park willing and able to build the towering behemoth. The once-impossible dream of a 1,000-foot-tall coaster is now feasible and in top secret development by an unnamed ridemaker, according to Dennis Speigel, an industry expert with International Theme Park Services . “The project is still under heavy wraps with the final international location yet to be announced,” Speigel wrote on the ITPS website. “But the progress is quite well along and so far is nothing short of breathtaking in every sense of the meaning.” ALSO SEE: Six Flags to spend $1 billion on 11 coasters over next 2 years The 1,000-footer would be twice as tall as any coaster ever built and smash a new record for world’s tallest coaster about to be set in 2025. Six Flags announced in November that its 456-foot-tall Kingda Ka coaster in New Jersey would be removed and replaced by a new record-breaking launch coaster in 2026. The 2005 Kingda Ka held the title of world’s tallest coaster for two decades. ALSO SEE: 5 of the world’s fastest coasters are closed, but a new king will soon rise The 415-foot-tall Superman: Escape from Krypton at Six Flags Magic Mountain now reigns as the tallest operating coaster in the world while the 420-foot-tall Top Thrill 2 coaster at Ohio’s Cedar Point remains closed for repairs. Falcon’s Flight will become the world’s tallest coaster at a skyscraping 640 feet when the new ride debuts in 2025 at Six Flags Quiddiya in Saudi Arabia. ALSO SEE: Coaster war brewing between Six Flags Magic Mountain and relatively unknown European rival Speigel got a sneak preview of the 1,000-foot-tall coaster by the as-yet-unidentified ride manufacturer that swore him to secrecy. Technological advancements in computer- and AI-assisted design have made the pipe dream of a 1,000-foot-tall coaster a very real possiblity, according to Speigel. ALSO SEE: 4 reasons why Universal won’t launch Fast & Furious coaster until 2026 “It’s only a matter of time and financial investment before this aspiration becomes a reality,” Speigel wrote on the ITPS website. The record-setting coaster will need to be built on a swath of land large enough to accommodate the amount of track needed for the launch and run out on either side of the 1,000-foot precipice. ALSO SEE: Six Flags Magic Mountain plans 21st roller coaster for 2026 The structural engineering team behind the project has designed a coaster that can withstand immense vertical and lateral forces, according to Speigel. An “ingenious” braking system will help control the incredible speeds of the coaster that will likely require riders to wear safety goggles, according to Speigel. Related Articles
Top gas plays have weathered the challenges and embraced opportunities in 2024 Gas will continue to play a major role in the global energy mix Australia still needs new sources of gas to avert forecast supply shortages One of the key themes in any discussion about energy has been about the continued role gas plays even as the world continues its march towards net zero emissions. In Australia, this is marked by the growing realisation that years of under investment in exploration means there are no ready replacements for ageing gas fields. This has led the Australian Energy Market Operator to warn in its 2024 Gas Statement of Opportunities that eastern Australia could experience shortfalls on extreme peak demand days from 2025, small seasonal supply gaps from 2026, and the controlled reduction of electricity supplied to homes and business during periods of peak demand from 2028. Energy consultancy EnergyQuest is far more pessimistic, saying that its calculations have indicated that there was only enough gas to meet 70% of NSW and ACT needs in the winters of 2026, 2027 and 2028 while Victoria would likely need to source 32% of its gas from LNG from the winter of 2028. Things aren’t much better globally, with the World Bank projecting the tightness of gas supplies in 2024 will persist in 2025 and 2026 with demand growth outstripping corresponding growth in supply. Natural gas storage in the European Union is already under pressure from high withdrawal rates and supply tightness is likely to get worse if forecasts that the region will experience its coldest winter since 2020 prove accurate. Gas company struggles are real While this might seem like the perfect environment for ASX gas plays to benefit from, the reality is that the demonisation of all fossil fuels has made investment almost taboo. One recent example is Commonwealth Bank, which announced in August 2024 that it would no longer offer money to fossil fuel companies that are not aligned with the Paris Agreement. Government action has also served to disincentivise investment with the $12 per gigajoule gas cap introduced in December 2022 acting to slow investment and introduce uncertainty about further market intervention . Environmental policies also appear to have disproportionately targeted gas , making it difficult to secure approvals for larger projects. It is not all negative though. The Federal government has recognised that gas is important and introduced a Future Gas Strategy that acknowledges this. Increasing pressure when power outages occur and the opposition, which backs faster approvals and development schedules, could also force the Albanese government to improve these areas if it stays in power following the 2025 election. With this in mind, here are some of the top performing gas plays in 2024 that have the potential to make further gains in 2025. CODE COMPANY PRICE MONTH % YEAR % MARKET CAP ROG Red Sky Energy. 0.01 37.5 120.0 $ 59,644,499 AXP AXP Energy Ltd 0.002 33.3 100.0 $ 5,824,681 CUE CUE Energy Resource 0.09 -6 86.5 $ 65,675,634 HYT Hyterra Ltd 0.04 -22.2 78.6 $ 61,786,438 TDO 3D Energi Ltd 0.1 6.74 63.8 $ 31,489,988 AEL Amplitude Energy 0.19 11.8 46.2 $ 501,607,264 ORG Origin Energy 10.4 0.14 22.8 $ 17,968,000,000 HZN Horizon Oil Limited 0.19 4.17 21.0 $ 300,680,864 LIO Lion Energy Limited 0.02 -21.7 9.1 $ 7,686,851 CND Condor Energy Ltd 0.02 -32.1 5.6 $ 11,726,674 Red Sky Energy (ASX:ROG) Red Sky holds a 20% interest in the Santos-operated Innamincka Dome project in South Australia and started receiving revenue in August 2023 from the sale of natural gas (76%) and liquids after the Yarrow field was tied into the grid. The company received $2.86m in cash receipts from then till the end of September 2024. About 76% of this comes from natural gas sales while the remainder is derived from ethane, LPG and condensate. The company recently completed the re-entry of the Yarrow-1 well and noted in mid-November that it is mobilising a workover rig to fracture stimulate it. The well is expected to boost output and revenue once it becomes fully operational in Q2 2025. AXP Energy (ASX:AXP) AXP is focused on establishing its Pathfinder gas field in Colorado as a reliable, off-grid gas-fired power generation operation. The company recently connected two modular data centres used for Bitcoin mining to the gas-to-power infrastructure at its Pathfinder #2 well site. Once this is completed, it will commence the setup of two more sites at the JW Powell and Kelce Court well sites. Cue Energy Resources (ASX:CUE) Cue Energy holds a diverse portfolio of oil and gas assets in Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand that generated $49.7m in revenue during FY2024 and delivered net profit after tax of $14.2m. In early December 2024, operator Central Petroleum started infill drilling at the Mereenie field in the Northern Territory to increase its near-term gas production back towards field capacity above 6 terajoules per day. Up to an additional 6TJ/d of gas from the two wells can be sold by the JV on a firm basis under the recently executed NT government gas sales agreement. Cue has a 7.5% interest in Mereenie. It also has a 15% stake in the Sampang PSC offshore Java, Indonesia, where the JV is moving towards a final investment decision on the Paus Biru project that could produce 20-25 million cubic feet of gas per day. Pic: CUE 3D Energi (ASX:TDO) 3D Energi holds a number of exploration licences across Australia, however its focus is on the Otway permits that were farmed out to supermajor ConocoPhillips. Conoco is carrying TDO for the drilling of two wells in 2025 under Phase 1 to a total of $65m. While the exact locations of the wells will be determined after 3D seismic is acquired and interpreted, the T/49P and VIC/P79 permits have the potential to host multiple trillion cubic feet of gas. Successful drilling could deliver much needed gas into the east coast market. Amplitude Energy (ASX:AEL) Formerly known as Cooper Energy, Amplitude is a significant producer of gas in Australia’s southeastern states. During FY2024, the company produced 62.1 terajoules of gas equivalent per day which returned underlying EBITDAX of $127.5m. Looking ahead, it expects production to increase to between 65 and 72TJe/d in FY2025 due to continued improvements at its Orbost plant in Victoria that will be accompanied by growing exposure to high spot and current market prices. The company has plans to start drilling in H2 2025 to test gross unrisked resources of >350 billion cubic feet in established basins. This is aimed at delivering first gas in 2028. HyTerra Limited (ASX:HYT) Natural hydrogen focused HyTerra recently expanded its Nemaha project landholding in Kansas by >15% to more than 60,000 acres, giving it plenty of room to expand should its upcoming drill program be successful. To top it off, Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue (ASX:FMG) made a $21.9m investment to earn a 39.66% stake in the company, a clear sign that big players are interested in the potential to find naturally occurring hydrogen with which to decarbonise existing uses of the gas. The investment also allowed the HYT to expand its original two well exploration program into a six well campaign to test a number of geological plays across its acreage. Historical exploration wells have already confirmed the presence of natural hydrogen and helium, with some returning up to 92% hydrogen and 3% helium. The Nemaha project. Pic: HyTerra Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) The only major energy company on our list of top performers in 2024, Origin has benefitted from continued strength of its LNG export business and domestic gas sales. During the September 2024 quarter, Australia Pacific LNG returned a 1% increase in revenue to $2.6bn due to higher sales volumes while domestic gas volumes were steady compared to the September 2023 quarter as higher retail sales and gas to generation were offset by a decrease in business volumes. For FY2025, it expects its LNG business to perform similarly to FY2024, when it produced 694 petajoules of gas while domestic gas profit is expected to moderate due to lower market prices. Horizon Oil (ASX:HZN) Like CUE, Horizon holds a 25% interest in the Mereenie gas field where Central is drilling two infill wells to increase near-term gas production. Mereenie currently accounts for 30-40% of the Northern Territory’s domestic gas supply, a number that will rise under the new gas sales agreement with its government. It also holds the producing Maari and Block 22/12 oil fields in New Zealand and China respectively. Lion Energy (ASX:LIO) While Lion has long enjoyed production from its small 2.5% (soon to be 2.25%) interest in Seram (Non-Bula) production sharing contract offshore Seram Island, Indonesia, and progressed oil exploration at its East Seram PSC, it is now progressing its green hydrogen ambitions. In Q3 2024, it signed a joint development agreement with Mitsubishi Corporation subsidiary DGA Energy Solutions Australia and Samsung C&T Corporation for the joint development of the Port of Brisbane green hydrogen project. DGA and Samsung will pay a total of $3.7m for historical and ongoing pre-construction costs in return for each taking up a 25% stake in the project. They will also procure $6.3m in debt financing, which will satisfy the capital requirement to complete the project. The Port of Brisbane project is designed to produce an initial 420kg/day of green hydrogen for public bus fleets and also to supply fuel cells providing onsite off-grid power to the Queensland construction and mining sectors. It is close to most of Brisbane’s 70+ bus depots as well as significant heavy vehicle traffic to and from the Port. Condor Energy (ASX:CND) Stepping a little further afield, Condor holds the Piedra Redonda gas field that covers almost all of the Tumbes Basin offshore Peru. The underexplored 4858km2 block is surrounded by multiple historical and currently producing oil and gas fields while Piedra Redonda itself has best estimate contingent resources of 404 billion cubic feet of gas. Its prospectivity has been enhanced by interpretation of newly reprocessed 3D seismic data which suggests the field is stratigraphic trap. This could improve reservoir connectivity and potential for future development. Adding further interest, a new petrophysical evaluation of the C-18X discovery well has indicated that a significant 500m gas column could be present from the crest of the structure down to the observed base. An updated resource estimate is currently being progressed. At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While HyTerra is a Stockhead advertiser, it did not sponsor this article. Originally published as 2024’s top gas performers have their eyes on the future Stockhead Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. 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Trump nominates cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair
AI camera helps save elephant herd from train collisionCHICAGO (AP) — Two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid returned to the Philadelphia 76ers' starting lineup against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. After missing his first seven shots and ambling deliberately in his left knee brace in the first quarter, the 2023 MVP went on a tear to propel the Sixers to a 108-100 win over the Chicago Bulls. Embiid connected on eight of his next 10 shots in the second quarter for his first 19 points of the game, which lifted Philadelphia to a 62-50 halftime lead. The Sixers stretched it to 19 before holding on for their fourth win in five games, and Embiid finished with 31. “I just got lucky and started making shots,” Embiid deadpanned when he talked to reporters almost 90 minutes after the game. “We just missed shots and we adjusted and we got them in.” Embiid, a seven-time All-Star, added 12 rebounds in his fifth game this season. The 7-foot center had missed the previous seven games because of knee injuries and a three-game suspension for pushing a sports columnist. Embiid finished slightly above his career average of nearly 27.8 points per game in 33 minutes. The Sixers don't play again until Friday thanks to the NBA Cup, so coach Nick Nurse planned to give his star ample work Sunday with a break and recovery time ahead. “All of a sudden he certainly caught fire there with a little bit of variety,” Nurse said. “I know a lot of it seemed like foul-line jumpers, which it was. He snuck in a roll or two and a couple of post-ups. It gave us a lot of confidence.” The Sixers trailed 33-23 after the first quarter. Behind Embiid and a 16-0 run in the second, they took the lead for good. Chicago got within four points twice in the fourth, but Philadelphia closed it out. “We guarded really well and we rebounded extremely well at both ends,” Nurse said. Tyrese Maxey got his first career triple-double as part of the winning formula and clicked with Embiid. Maxey finished with 25 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. “It was great, that's who he is,” Maxey said of Embiid. “After he got in the game it's easy, it was easier, man. There was a lot more space out there.” The All-Star trio of Embiid, Maxey and Paul George (12 points) played together for only the second game this season. “Obviously we've got the connection,” Embiid said. "We know when things are not going right, what we need to do. Now it's up to us to make the shots and the plays. “After that first quarter, it just felt like we needed to take more of an ownership as far as getting us back in the game. They're great players.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans in 'mourning' as Montell Douglas reveals 'best gift'Penticton Vees captain commits to New York-based universityPolice hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's masked killer after 'brazen, targeted' attack on NYC street NEW YORK (AP) — A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said, adding that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. Hegseth fights to save Pentagon nomination as sources say Trump considers DeSantis WASHINGTON (AP) — A defiant Pete Hegseth fought to save his nomination to be Donald Trump's defense secretary Wednesday as the president-elect considered possible replacements in the face of growing questions about the former Fox News host's personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation. Hegseth met with legislators on Capitol Hill, conducted a radio interview and released an opinion article denying allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. He insisted he was “not backing down one bit," that Trump was still supporting him and he planned to return Thursday for more meetings with lawmakers. But the president-elect's team was looking at alternatives including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump himself remained quiet about Hegseth while issuing a flurry of statements on social media Wednesday about other nominees and his news coverage. Hegeth, asked if he'd meet with Trump on Thursday, said he'd meet with him “anytime he'd like." Hegseth is the latest nominee-designate to be imperiled by personal baggage after the recent withdrawal of Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vulnerabilities were well-documented. But Hegseth’s past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies, was not widely known. Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on medical treatments for transgender minors WASHINGTON (AP) — Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, the Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people, showcasing the uneasy intersection between law, politics and individual rights. The Biden administration's top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender healthcare for minors. In arguments that lasted more than two hours, five of the six conservative justices voiced varying degrees of skepticism of arguments made by the administration and Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer for Tennessee families challenging the ban. Peter Navarro served prison time related to Jan. 6. Now Trump is bringing him back as an adviser WASHINGTON (AP) — Former White House adviser Peter Navarro, who served prison time related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, will return to serve in Donald Trump’s second administration, the president-elect announced Wednesday. Navarro, a trade adviser during Trump’s first term, will be a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, Trump said on Truth Social. The position, Trump wrote, “leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience, while harnessing his extensive Policy analytic and Media skills.” The appointment was only the first in a flurry of announcements that Trump made on Wednesday as his presidential transition faced controversy over Pete Hegseth, Trump’s choice for Pentagon chief. Hegseth faces allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement, and Trump has considered replacing him with another potential nominee. As he works to fill out his team, Trump said he wanted Paul Atkins, a financial industry veteran and an advocate for cryptocurrency, to serve as the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He wrote on Truth Social that Atkins “recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before.” Trump also said he was changing course on his choice for White House counsel. He said his original pick, William McGinley, will work with the Department of Government Efficiency, which will be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with the goal of cutting federal spending. Now David Warrington, who has worked as Trump’s personal lawyer and a lawyer for his campaign, will serve as White House counsel. Israeli strikes on a Gaza tent camp kill at least 21 people, hospital says KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes tore through a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza on Wednesday, sparking fires and killing at least 21 people, according to the head of a nearby hospital, in the latest assault on a sprawling tent city that Israel designated a humanitarian safe zone but has repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strike on the Muwasi tent camp was one of several deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. An Israeli attack in central Gaza killed at least 10 more people, including four children, according to Palestinian medics. Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of ending after nearly 14 months. Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages, and most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is reliant on international food aid to survive. Israel is also pressing a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say Palestinians might be experiencing famine. The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push for a Gaza ceasefire now that there's a truce in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, ending more than a year of cross-border fighting. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump demanded this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. South Korean President Yoon's martial law declaration raises questions over his political future SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning martial law declaration lasted just hours, but experts say it raised serious questions about his ability to govern for the remaining 2 1/2 years of his term and whether he will abide by democratic principles. The opposition-controlled parliament overturned the edict, and his rivals on Wednesday took steps to impeach him. One analyst called his action “political suicide.” Yoon’s political fate may depend on whether a large number of people in coming days take to the streets to push for his ouster. Here's a look at the political firestorm caused by the martial law declaration, the first of its kind in more than 40 years. Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law on Tuesday night was accompanied by a pledge to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces at a single stroke.” He vowed to protect the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” Yoon, a conservative, cited repeated attempts by his liberal rivals in control of parliament to impeach his top officials and curtail key parts of his budget bill for next year. French lawmakers vote to oust prime minister in the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962 PARIS (AP) — France’s far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined together Wednesday in a historic no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet members to resign, a first since 1962. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after July’s legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament. Macron will address the French on Thursday evening, his office said, without providing details. Barnier is expected to formally resign by then. A conservative appointed in September, Barnier becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in France’s modern Republic. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. Harris found success with women who have cats, but Trump got the dog owner vote: AP VoteCast WASHINGTON (AP) — The lead-up to the 2024 election was all about cat owners. But in the end, the dogs had their day. President-elect Donald Trump won slightly more than half of voters who own either cats or dogs, with a big assist from dog owners, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. Dog owners were much more likely to support the Republican over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Cat owners were split between the two candidates. About two-thirds of voters said they own a dog or cat, but pet owners don't usually get much attention from politicians. This year, however, past comments by Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, about “childless cat ladies” briefly became a campaign issue — and Taylor Swift signed her Instagram endorsement of Harris in September as “Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady.” Harris did end up decisively winning support from women who owned a cat but not a dog. Still, those voters were a relatively small slice of the electorate, and pet owners as a whole did not seem to hold Vance's remarks against the GOP ticket. Childless or not, women who only owned a cat were more likely to support Harris than were dog owners, or voters who had a cat and a dog. About 6 in 10 women who owned a cat but not a dog supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast. She did similarly well among women who did not own either kind of pet.
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