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Reports: Bill Belichick interviews for North Carolina jobUsers Can Unlock Exclusive Rewards with SoulBound Tokens in the Latest Web3 Gaming Innovation Singapore, Singapore , Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Planetarium Labs has announced the pre-registration kickoff for its Immortal Rising 2 Path of Ascension Play 2 Airdrop campaign during the YGG Play Summit. The announcement was made by JC Kim, CEO and Founder of Planetarium Labs, who also provided a live demo of Immortal Rising 2, captivating attendees with the game's immersive dark fantasy setting and advanced Web3 features. Pre-registration for the P2A campaign is now open, offering participants the opportunity to claim a unique SoulBound Token (SBT) during this phase. This SBT will act as a hidden incentive for players, unlocking a special reward at the end of the campaign. The first season of the P2A campaign begins on November 28, 2024, inviting players to engage in a variety of daily check-in, social and in-game missions. These missions allow users to acquire additional SBTs per mission, each with unique scores that contribute to the users' overall performance. At the end of Season 1, participants can check their final tier based on their SBT collection, unlocking exclusive rewards and benefits. The campaign not only introduces an engaging way for players to interact with Immortal Rising 2 but also provides a new layer of player-driven progression and achievement in Web3 gaming. Since its grand launch, Immortal Rising 2 has garnered significant attention, with over 500,000 players pre-registering ahead of its debut. The game has also achieved over 1 million registrations on Immortal Vault , the official platform where users can complete various social and in-game missions to earn ORB, a mileage point that will later contribute to $IMT allocation. Additionally, the game has surpassed 600,000 downloads and topped the charts for iOS and AOS in South Korea and Vietnam . Built on Immutable's zkEVM, powered by Polygon, the game seamlessly integrates blockchain technology with dynamic RPG mechanics, offering players both traditional gameplay and on-chain utility. "With Immortal Rising 2, we're not only advancing Web3 gaming but also creating opportunities for players to engage with the ecosystem in new and rewarding ways,” said JC Kim, CEO and Founder of Planetarium Labs . "The P2A campaign is an exciting step forward, combining innovative technology with immersive gameplay to deepen player engagement.” To pre-register for the P2A campaign and secure your exclusive SoulBound Token, visit the pre-registration page or join the official website at immortalrising2.com and follow Immortal Rising 2 on X and Discord . About Planetarium Labs Planetarium Labs , which raised $32 million in a Series A funding round led by Animoca Brands, is a community-driven Web3 gaming company that builds immersive and moddable gaming experiences for users around the world. With decades of collective experience in gaming and blockchain technologies, and with industry-leading visionaries and partners, Planetarium Labs is building the protocols and experiences that take Web3 gaming to the next level. Media Contact Robert Penington [email protected]December is upon us. We’ve been knee-deep in holiday gift guides since early November, ensuring you are completely prepared for the biggest gifting season of the year. No matter what holiday you celebrate, we have unique, local, practical, sustainable, heartfelt and thoughtfully curated gift ideas for everyone on your list. If you’re looking for affordable and practical gifts for men , unexpected (and amazing) gifts for women , top toys for kids , presents for beauty lovers , want-to-be chefs , health nuts and home dwellers or shopping for a secret santa exchange , we have you covered. On a budget, try our gifts under $50 and under $20 . We are constantly searching for the best, most practical or efficient gadgets, tools, beauty products, home goods and services the Canadian marketplace has to offer. After extensive product testing, researching and reviewing, we narrow our list to offer our readers the best of the best. We’re often asked things like, “What’s on your wishlist?” or “What products are you most excited about?” If you’re curious about our favourite products of the moment (and why), read on. To discover more of our top picks, check out our favourites from October . Why I love it: “Cooking for a large group tends to leave me feeling slightly anxious, especially when it comes to hosting an important holiday gathering. I’ve always relied on single-use aluminum foil roasting pans, which come with many limitations. I’ve lost roasting juices to the bottom of the oven on numerous occasions (super fun to clean up after hours of washing dishes) and even burnt myself after a flimsy foil collapse. This pan solves all my issues in one fell swoop, plus, it helped to produce the best, most evenly cooked turkey to date. Make use of the included rack, for an even 360-degree bake and don’t forget to use those drippings in your gravy!” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor Price: $265 Where to buy: HexClad Why I love it: “I’ve always heard great things about the Beats Studio Pro headphones, and the new colours in collaboration with Kim Kardashian were enough to convince me to pick up a pair. The sound quality has lived up to the hype, and the headphones come in a sleek carrying case that will be perfect for travel. This collection tends to come in and out of stock as they’re on sale on Amazon, but they’re also available in Beats standard colours of black, navy and cream. They’re the perfect gift for the stylish music fan on your list.” — Kate Mendonca, Shopping Editor Price: $270 (currently on sale from $470) Where to buy: Amazon | Apple Why I love it: “This gift box includes the most decadent treats from across Canada. Saul Good Gift Co. supports locally-owned Canadian businesses, including many Indigenous-owned producers. Boxes are carefully curated with products that scream Canada-pride and wrapped in sustainable packaging. Fun fact: 478 trees are saved annually by using 100 per cent recycled paper in gift box packaging.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor Price: $163 Where to buy: Saul Good Gift Co. Why I love it: “I don’t love it because it’s quiet as a mouse. Rock tumbling isn’t the quietest of hobbies, but it’s interesting and teaches me many things — including patience. I enjoy learning about different types of rocks and seeing them transform into gems. It can take a month to tumble, so it requires me to flex my patience.” Price: $80 (currently on sale from $100) Where to buy: Amazon Why I love it: “This viral lip stain lives up to the social media hype. It claims to be “transfer-proof, waterproof and life proof” and I can confirm — it holds up through many sips of wine and even the odd toddler face smoosh (if you know, you know). Available in almost 20 different shades, this stain is the perfect long-lasting, low-maintenance addition to your makeup routine and primed to help you glow at your next holiday soiree. — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor Price: $22 Where to buy: Wonderskin | Amazon Why I love it: “I got married this past spring, and was looking for a cute and creative Christmas ornament to commemorate the occasion. West Elm has a couple that fit the bill, including this pink glass car and an adorable glass wedding cake ornament. To my friends who also got married this year, you may just be finding one of these in your Christmas gifts.” — Kate Mendonca, Shopping Editor Price: $10 (currently on sale from $12) Where to buy: West Elm Why I love it: “The ultimate gift idea for the fragrance fan on your holiday list, this special CHANEL No.5 scent is a timeless luxury (the fragrance has been a bestseller since its release in 1921, after all) and on trend. Part petite perfume, part bag charm—plus, it’s refillable!— it’s a covetable, collectable fragrance accessory to wrap up this holiday season.” — Aleesha Harris, Fashion Editor Price: $264 Where to buy: Hudson’s Bay | Chanel | Holt Renfrew Why I love it: “This is the strongest claw hair clip I’ve ever used, and I have thick, curly hair. I never have to worry about the clip moving or slipping, which is nice. The Darlingest is so reliable that it has become one of my most-used hair accessories, second only to a scrunchie. Plus, it’s a statement piece that adds a touch of magic and sparkle to my look— especially with Wicked being so popular right now.” — Jacqueline Osias, Deals Coordinator Price: $26 (currently on sale from $35) Where to buy: ALDO Why I love it: “Prepare for the waterworks This AI tool transforms your old camcorder videotapes into shareable, digital files you can stream with your favourite friends or family on your TV, laptop or smartphone. The company’s restoration experts work in tandem with AI to convert analog files to digital, enhancing quality and sound in the process. A truly customized gift or an absolute treat to yourself. As mentioned, expect happy tears.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor Price: $15 per videotape using code SAVE50 (currently on sale from $30) Where to buy: iMemories Why I love it: “For a gift idea that’s sure to please any skincare enthusiast, I love this set from Caudalie. It contains three bestsellers: one full-size Beauty Elixir Mist plus minis of the Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum and Pore Minimizing Instant Detox Mask. It’s one of the best value holiday sets you can find at Sephora, as it’s the same price as a bottle of the Beauty Elixir Mist on its own.” — Kate Mendonca, Shopping Editor Price: $66 Where to buy: Sephora Why I love it: “Another Canadian brand celebrating Canadian craftsmanship and making gift-giving easy. Purchase the box to save money on individual products like Deadsea salt soaks and reusable soy candles and disperse items amongst friends, or send one lucky recipient the whole lot. Foodiepages is based in Toronto and not only supports small, Canadian-owned businesses, they also donate 1 per cent of sales to local charities like Daily Bread Food Bank and Canadian Mental Health Association .” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor Price: $80 Where to buy: Foodiepages Why I love it: “I’ll be the first to admit that my go-to event outfit typically involves a pair of jeans and a cashmere sweater. Especially during the busy holiday season. This effortless (read: very easy, and maybe even lazy) outfit combination means I lean into accessories like this two-tone belt from the Parisian brand Déhanche to add some pizzazz to my ensemble. Featuring two-tone metal hardware, the smooth leather design will add a touch of glamour to all your festive party looks.” — Aleesha Harris, Fashion Editor Price: $435 Where to buy: Holt Renfrew Why I love it: “This candle from Vancouver-based Roam the Brand is Christmas, camping and freshly cut cedar all swirled together like an ice cream cone and bottled up in a beautiful vessel. Said vessel is either matte black or white, depending on your decor style, and the burn time is a lush 45+ hours. Enjoy hints of fir, cedarwood, citrus and barberry as you gear up for the holidays, and rest easy knowing all packaging and materials — down to the FSC-certified wooden wick — are sustainably sourced. ” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor Price: $65 Where to buy: Roam the Brand Shopping Essentials is a category written by research-obsessed shopping experts. Explore product reviews, recommendations and launches — plus behind-the-scenes info on your favourite brands and hidden gems — learn more here or sign up for our newsletter . Love a deal? Us too. Explore Postmedia’s latest coupon codes from top brands we know and love. ltaveroff@ postmedia.com instagram.com/leightav
Six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick interviewed for the head-coaching job at North Carolina, Inside Carolina and the Raleigh News & Observer reported Thursday. According to the News & Observer, Belichick "blew them away in the interview," yet he is not likely to move forward because he is pushing 73 years old and has no experience in the college game.NASA's stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to goSAN DIEGO — Syracuse coach Fran Brown and Washington State acting coach Pete Kaligis shared a heartfelt hug after their Holiday Bowl news conference on Thursday. Kaligis can certainly use all the support he can get, especially an embrace and some encouraging words from the opposing coach. No. 22 Syracuse (9-3, No. 21 CFP), led by national passing leader Kyle McCord, is a 17-point favorite according to BetMGM in Friday night’s Holiday Bowl against the depleted Cougars (8-4), whose season has nosedived since mid-November. After beating future Pac-12 opponent San Diego State 29-26 on Oct. 26 at Snapdragon Stadium, coach Jake Dickert, quarterback John Mateer and the rest of the Cougars were 7-1 and about to jump into The Associated Press Top 25. Now the Cougars are barely recognizable as they return to Snapdragon. Dickert was hired away by Wake Forest, Mateer transferred to Oklahoma and running back Wayshawn Parker left for Utah. Numerous coaches, including the offensive and defensive coordinators, are gone, and more than 20 players have entered the transfer portal. The Cougars, who lost their last three games, are a prime example of how college football’s rapidly changing landscape can dramatically affect a program. “Going into the ins-and-outs of the game tomorrow doesn’t matter,” Kaligis said. “We are who we are, we have what we have. I know that’s for both of us.” Kaligis said players who entered the portal after Dickert left can suit up Friday night. “I know we came here with 98 guys. That’s who we’re going to show up on the field with.” The Cougars improved to 8-1 by beating Utah State 49-28 on Nov. 9 but then lost three straight, including to Oregon State in the de facto championship game between the two teams left in the Pac-12. They also lost to New Mexico and Wyoming, two of the Mountain West teams that weren’t invited to join the reconstituted Pac-12 starting in 2026. McCord, who transferred from Ohio State, rewrote the Orange’s record book this season with 4,326 yards passing, 29 touchdowns and 367 completions. He’s well within range of breaking Deshaun Watson’s ACC single-season record of 4,593, which he set in 15 games in 2016. A win will give Syracuse 10 wins for the first time since 2018 and just the third time since 2000.
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More Holiday Cards Bringing Winter Joy to Others Middle Schoolers Volunteering Supporting Their Community Bagel Sale for Students Supporting Many Community Initiatives Winter Joy Blanket A Gift for Their Community Neighbors Inspiration Cafe Guided by Long Time IC Staffer Inspiration Cafe Helping Over the Years Helping Prepare Meals Over the Years More Artwork for Neighbors Happy to Share Their Artwork Winter Joy Holiday Cards Winter Joy Cards for Their Neighbors Inspiration Café is abuzz. The kitchen is bustling. Parents, faculty and staff are busy chopping vegetables, whipping up potatoes, slicing turkeys and preparing and serving wonderful home-cooked meals for dozens of families whose goal is to exit homelessness. This annual Thanksgiving tradition and many others serve as a testament to the power of the human spirit, coming together in understanding and support of others. It has been a Sacred Heart Schools tradition for decades and is just one of many examples of how our community comes together to make a difference. Classroom Learning and Action Our faculty, staff, students and many parents are already preparing for various annual giving events around Thanksgiving, the winter holiday season and throughout the school year. As we do this, we celebrate the spirit of giving and care that is a hallmark of the remarkable dedication to social awareness, service, and action that our school community demonstrates throughout the year, in and out of the classroom. Essential to the fabric of an education of the whole person is the integration of everyday service learning and how that translates into action and care for others. Whether through partnership with Inspiration Café at Thanksgiving, or with other agencies in Edgewater and adjacent neighborhoods such as The Ignatian Services Mission, Howard Area Community Center, Misericordia, or Evanston Food Pantry, our entire community is engaged in service learning and action. Through an intricately developed partner program expanded into a broad net of caring more than 25 years ago, students, faculty, staff, and many families give of themselves to grow, as Head of Schools Meg Steele encourages, "not to be the best in the world, but the best for the world.” The goal is twofold: first, help those in need by understanding their need, the root causes, solutions and the immediate actions an individual can take to alleviate suffering. Second, we work to help students model personal responsibility, building life-long habits of empathy, outreach and giving. We want them to be "good neighbors” wherever they can be. In the classroom, students at every grade level learn about the poverties of substance and of spirit. They work to understand root causes and immediate as well as longer-term solutions. They learn to take individual responsibility to help where they can and they learn all this in an atmosphere that celebrates the dignity of every human being, regardless of their socio-economic circumstances. Paz Salas, Coordinator of Service Learning and Community Partnerships is the planning and positive force behind all these Sacred Heart efforts. She works with many community partners, including Inspiration Cafe's Associate Director, Hallie McDonald who reflects on the partnership. "Inspiration Corporation's work connecting people experiencing homelessness and poverty to services and resources is made possible thanks to partners like Sacred Heart Schools.” Note: SHS has been partnering with Inspiration Café since 1999. Our students have learned from the staff and guests of the Café for years. We have donated, cooked, and served Thanksgiving dinner for an average of 60 IC participants since 2002. About 1440 Thanksgiving dinners have been provided as well as decorations in the Café, created by the SHS students each year. About Sacred Heart Sacred Heart Schools opened its doors in Chicago in 1876. As the oldest independent elementary school in Chicago, we operate as a private, Catholic school, welcoming all faiths, for Preschool through 8th grade students. Along the shores of Lake Michigan, our unique single gender classroom experience on a co-ed campus allows girls, through The Academy, and boys, through Hardey Prep, to pursue and excel in their love of learning within a safe, diverse and inclusive community. Contact: Sacred Heart Schools Lis Slattery, Director of Marketing (312) 315-5253 [email protected] www.shschicago.org Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c94484f5-833a-4a8f-9c05-49c072c8b670 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d78373f9-2072-474e-958b-53eb35402088 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0708a0b4-b5be-4ac4-a5c3-415e39764d3d https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/67157649-da42-4f0c-aba9-12ebf76d54f0 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/346113ef-2120-427b-bc49-d7985453994d https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0ea2fc0b-e89b-49e0-b176-01639a1f1606 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aec4d9a6-3925-4b03-8349-8739a4822973 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f0ea2127-cc9c-4cdb-8fd1-dc1e3d79d750 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/02747e3e-0988-4ac6-a0de-758ffc118134 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d71921e7-e395-45a5-905d-974ff095ab9fMALIBU, Calif. (AP) — The wildfire alert came in the middle of the night as some college students in Southern California were cramming for final exams and others were woken up in their dorms. But rather than run away from the impending blaze, some 3,000 students at Pepperdine University headed toward two buildings at the heart of the 830-acre (336 hectare) campus in coastal Malibu, California, to shelter in place. The protocol at the Christian university with picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean may seem to defy logic to those accustomed to scenes elsewhere in wildfire-prone California of thousands of residents evacuating fire zones in lengthy caravans of cars. For years, the university nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains has had a special protocol due to its unique terrain and design that calls for students to be brought to a library and campus center where they can get food and water and have their basic needs met, said Michael Friel, a Pepperdine spokesperson. The school began preparing students and community members on what to do in case of a wildfire during new student orientation at the beginning of the academic year. When the fire broke out Monday night, school officials started communicating with students around 11 p.m. and activated the shelter-in-place protocol about two hours later, spreading the word through text messages, email, social media and by going door to door. “A lot of our students were woken up by a knock on the door, and we made sure they were aware of the conditions and we were able to get them out of harm’s way,” Friel said. The quickly moved south, jumping over the famous Pacific Coast Highway and stretching to the coast, where large homes line the beach. Thousands of Southern California residents were under evacuation orders and warnings Tuesday with more than 8,100 homes and other structures under threat. County fire officials estimated that more than 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers) of trees and dry brush had burned amid dangerous conditions fanned by dry, gusty that were expected to last into Wednesday. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Ryan Song, a resident assistant at Pepperdine University, said he noticed the power went out at his dorm late Monday. When he looked out the window, he saw a huge pink glow. “I thought, ‘This is too bright,’ and it got bigger and bigger,” the 20-year-old junior said. “I immediately went outside and saw that it was a real fire.” Song and the other assistants went door to door to get students out. Most were calm and followed instructions, he said; a few who were scared rushed to their cars to get off campus. Song said he spent the next few hours racing back and forth in the dark between his dorm and the main campus to ensure no one was left behind. Pepperdine University officials said the campus was designed in the 1960s with fire safety in mind due to the region’s experience with wildfires. Buildings were clustered together and covered in stucco while roadways were constructed to make it easy for firefighters to get in, said Phil Phillips, the school’s executive vice president. During the 1990s, campus officials worked with Los Angeles County fire authorities to develop a safety plan, and authorities said the safest option for students would be to remain on campus. The school is diligent about brush clearance and has a plan to reduce smoke in shelter-in-place locations by taping shut doors and using air filters, he said. The nearby stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway can also become congested during an emergency, Phillips said, such as during the deadly in 2018. “What you don’t want is to be stuck,” said Phillips, who has been at the campus for three decades — including as a student — and said he has been through seven fires. “Protecting our students, providing for their safety is a moral obligation for us, so we take it really, really seriously.” On Tuesday, heavy smoke from the Franklin Fire, burning northeast of the school, billowed over the campus 29 miles (47 kilometers) west of Los Angeles, and classes were cancelled and final exams postponed. Firefighters had not contained any part of the blaze as of Tuesday afternoon. The campus was singed but no injuries were reported, and only one structure possibly was minimally damaged thanks to firefighters’ hard work and collaboration from students, faculty and others on campus, Friel said. Jim Gash, the college’s president, said the campus was no longer threatened on Tuesday afternoon. “I am grateful that through prayer, preparation, and cooperation, our Pepperdine community safely navigated the challenges encountered over the last 12 hours,” Gash said in a statement. “Our prayers continue to go out to the Malibu community.” ___ Taxin reported from Santa Ana, Calif. Associated Press writer Julie Watson in San Diego contributed to this report.
(BPT) - The holidays are almost here! It means parties and events, hustle and bustle ... and figuring out what to buy for everyone on your list. Sometimes it's hard to get inspired with great ideas that your nears and dears will love at a price you can afford, right? The good news? Inspiration + savings are covered this year. One of the top gifts of Holiday 2024 is technology, and there are a lot of deals out there right now. Done and done! Here are 5 ideas for hot tech gifts for everyone on your list. Smartphones for the family T-Mobile is running a hot deal right now. Get four new smartphones at T-Mobile — this includes Samsung Galaxy S24 and other eligible devices — and four lines for just $100/month . It doesn't get better than that! These new Galaxy phones are tech-tastic, too, with features like AI, Circle to Search with Google, which can be used to help solve math problems and translate entire pages of text in a different language, and Note Assist with Galaxy AI, which lets you focus on capturing your notes and then Note Assist will summarize, format and even translate them for you. High tech spiral notebook for students We've got to admit, this is pretty cool. The Rocketbook looks (a bit) like a regular spiral, paper notebook. Here's the high tech twist: You can take notes, capture ideas, brainstorm, draw — whatever you do on paper — on the pad, and the Rocketbook digitizes your doodles and saves to the cloud device of your choice. Then you simply wipe the pad clean and it's good to go. Look for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at your favorite online retailer. Wrist-worthy smartwatches for athletes (or those who want to be) Everyone loves smartwatches (if you're not already tracking your sleep and heart rate, where have you been?) and the Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm & 45mm) takes it to the next level with features for athletes or anyone who may be setting fitness goals for the coming year. The watch has workout prompts like Real Time Guidance — audio and haptic cues for when to sprint, cool down or maintain pace. It gives you the ability to program your workouts and even monitors your cadence and stride. It also has Offline Maps, with driving navigation, search and maps. Here's the deal of the century: Get it for free at T-Mobile when adding a qualifying watch line. Cute wireless keyboard for people who are all thumbs Who else is annoyed by typing email or texts or social posts on a smartphone? The Logitech Multi-Device Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard solves that problem with style! It comes in sweet colors like lavender, it's wireless, it's small and portable, and it works with just about any device. Pop it into your backpack or purse and you'll never have to thumb-out a message again. Speakers perfect for hosting and giving Have a music lover in your life or need the perfect hosting gift? T-Mobile has you covered. For a limited time, you can get the JBL Clip 5 for free when you pick up a Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 . The JBL Clip 5 is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker perfect for those on the go and the Onyx Studio 9's sleek design and booming sound will take care of all your holiday hosting needs. For more tech-tastic holiday gift inspiration, check out T-Mobile's holiday gift guide at t-mobile.com/devices/tech-gifts .
General Mills Inc. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitorsArticle content (Bloomberg) — FBI Director Christopher Wray announced he will resign before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, prematurely ending his historic and tumultuous tenure as head of the nation’s top investigative law enforcement agency. Recommended Videos Wray said in a speech to agency staff Wednesday that he plans to resign at the end of Joe Biden’s term as president next month. Trump, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, made it clear he won’t keep Wray on as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, even though he’s serving a 10-year term that doesn’t end until 2027. Wray told the the agency’s workforce that stepping down is the “best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray.” “What absolutely cannot, must not change is our commitment to doing the right thing, the right way, every time,” Wray said, in a speech provided to reporters. “Our adherence to our core values, our dedication to independence and objectivity, and our defense of the rule of law — those fundamental aspects of who we are must never change.” Trump posted on his Truth Social network on Nov. 30 that he plans to nominate as FBI director Kash Patel, a loyalist who has pledged to overhaul the bureau and even said he would shut down the agency’s headquarters in Washington. Trump will be able to pick an acting director to serve until the Senate confirms his nominee. Trump chose Wray to lead the FBI in June 2017 after he fired then-Director James Comey, who launched the investigation into whether Trump’s campaign conspired with Russia to interfere in the 2016 election. The probe was later taken over by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. But Trump and his allies eventually turned on Wray and have repeatedly lambasted him for actions the FBI took that they didn’t approve of or for not taking certain actions that they wanted. “We will now restore the Rule of Law for all Americans,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday. “We want our FBI back, and that will now happen.” Meanwhile, Attorney General Merrick Garland praised Wray in a statement, saying he “has worked tirelessly to protect the American people and to lead an agency of 38,000 dedicated public servants, many of whom put their lives on the line every day to serve their communities.” Wray said in his speech that his “goal is to keep the focus on our mission.” He decried those who judge actions based on whether or not they liked the result. “That’s not how independence and objectivity work,” Wray said. “We’re not on any one side. We’re on the American people’s side. The Constitution’s side” Mild mannered and soft spoken, Wray, a New York City native, tried to steer the bureau away from political turbulence during his tenure. He replaced the bureau’s leadership when he took over as director and worked to stay out of the public spotlight as he emphasized the agency’s core missions of investigating corporate crime, espionage cases, cyber attacks and violent offenses. He also oversaw implementation of new restrictions on how analysts can search intelligence databases and obtain classified warrants. But Wray was never able to escape controversy. He came under heated criticism by conservatives when FBI agents carried out a court-authorized search of Trump’s Florida resort in 2022 to retrieve classified documents. His agents also participated in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s probe into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and investigated Trump supporters who attacked the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to stop the congressional certification of the election. The classified documents and election probes led to indictments of Trump. However, Smith had to dismiss the election case because of the Justice Department’s policy barring prosecution of a sitting president. A federal judge dismissed the classified documents case but the department wants to reinstate it without Trump. Wray also became the target of criticism by conservatives for an assessment generated by an FBI field office in Richmond, Virginia, in 2023 that warned of possible threats posed by “radical-traditionalist” Catholics. The assessment was withdrawn and Wray has condemned it, but critics have alleged without evidence that it represented an effort to persecute Catholics and conservatives over their beliefs. Meanwhile, Patel has vowed to carry out reforms to defeat what he calls “the deep state” in the FBI and elsewhere. In his book Government Gangsters, Patel endorsed calls to fire government employees who undermine the president’s agenda. “We must identify the people in government that are crippling our constitutional republic,” Patel told the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this year.
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Bangladesh court bans publication of speeches by ousted Prime Minister HasinaDHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A special tribunal in Bangladesh on Thursday banned the publication of any speeches by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina , who is in exile in India after being ousted in August following mass protests. The decision came a day after Hasina made her first public speech in a virtual address to supporters of her Awami League party in New York. In the speech, she accused Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus , of perpetrating genocide and failing to protect minorities , especially Hindus, since her ouster. The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal made the decision in response to a request by government prosecutors for a ban on any speeches by Hasina on mainstream or social media, prosecutor Golam Monawar Hossain Tamim said. Hasina fled to India after being ousted in a mass uprising in July and August in which hundreds of protesters were killed and thousands were injured. She faces many court cases over the deaths, including some on charges of crimes against humanity. The tribunal has already issued arrest warrants for Hasina and her close aides, and the government has sought help from the international police organization Interpol for her arrest . Prosecutors said in their request to the tribunal that some speeches and phone calls by Hasina had been disseminated on electronic media and could interfere in the investigation of the charges against her by influencing or frightening witnesses. “If speeches like these are published and broadcast, we won’t be able to bring witnesses to the tribunal during trials,” Tamim said. He said the tribunal also ordered authorities to remove leaked speeches and phone conversations from media platforms. Hasina established the tribunal during her 15-year rule. It was used to try people accused of war crimes during Bangladesh’s war of independence with Pakistan in 1971. Politicians belonging mainly to the Jamaat-e-Islami party were executed after being found guilty by the tribunal. On Wednesday, Hasina told her supporters in New York that there had been plans to assassinate her and her sister Sheikh Rehana just like their father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, an independence leader who was assassinated in 1975 along with most of his family. Only Hasina and her younger sister survived because they were visiting Germany at that time. She said armed protesters had been instructed to head to her residence in Dhaka and she was forced to flee to India so that security guards would not have to fire at the approaching crowd. “If the security guards opened fire, many lives would have been lost,” she said. “I was forced to leave. I told them not to open fire, no matter what happened.” Media reports said more such public speeches are planned by Hasina to address her supporters in the coming weeks. Hasina has good relations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tensions between India and Muslim-majority Bangladesh have grown since her departure over incidents such as the jailing of a prominent Hindu leader in Bangladesh and attacks on a diplomatic office in India by Hindus. Yunus has been meeting with political and religious leaders urging them to stay united. On Wednesday, he held a dialogue with most political parties except Hasina’s Awami League party and the Jatiya Party which are facing severe challenges under the Yunus-led administration. On Thursday, Yunus met with religious leaders and said there was no division among Bangladeshis when it comes to national issues. Bangladesh has been facing crucial challenges since Hasina’s ouster in August amid mob justice, rising commodity prices, errant street protests and an unstable economy. The security situation remains a major concern. About 700 inmates including many criminals and radical Islamists still remain at large after jailbreaks during the political chaos in August.