The fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat blends a terrific redesign with the smart features that we've all come to expect from the company's devices. Google arguably set the bar very high back in 2011, with a control set that mirrored an iPod, and the ability to learn your cooling or heating schedule from the get-go. Between the facelift that makes it look more like a piece of art on your wall and the 'AI' power infused into its already well-regarded learning features, the fourth-generation Learning Thermostat is a pretty easy recommendation for most folks. Even when accounting for the price increase of up to $280, the fourth-generation model is more than a bit smarter, and now includes a temperature sensor in the box as well. I especially liked the smaller changes, including the ability to accept or decline suggested temperature changes to my schedule, but besides the design, the best functionality change is the adjustable and more helpful display. Displaying the active temperature and visual for the weather from afar, and showing highs and lows as I get close, the FarSight feature means the new Nest Learning Thermostat is useful even when I'm not using it to adjust temperatures. Setup within the Google Home app was easy for me, but my colleagues weren't as lucky, and most of the experience with the app is pretty basic. It might be intentional, but something a bit more full-featured would have been nice. Even so, adding Matter will make the folks waiting to use a Nest natively in the Apple Home app pretty darn happy. Myself included. As a whole, the fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat evolves into the modern age of the smart home in a successful fashion, which I think will make folks upgrading from a previous model quite happy (even though it's not plug-and-play). People new to Nest will find it to be feature-filled. That makes the decision of only releasing the fourth generation in the United States and Canada a bit more baffling. The Nest Learning Thermostat Fourth-Generation is available in the United States and Canada. You get your pick of Polished Gold, Polished Silver, or Polished Obsidian for $279.99 in the United States, or $379.99 in Canada. A temperature sensor is included in the box, but you can buy a single additional unit for $29.99 or a three-pack for $99.99. As of now, there is no timeframe for when the fourth generation might launch outside the United States or Canada. The new Nest Learning Thermostat looks stunning. It was a simple install, though it's not plug-and-play if you're upgrading from an existing Nest. The larger, upgraded display steals the show and navigation is still impressively simple. While the fourth generation model still inherently operates like the original Nest Learning Thermostat that dropped way back in 2011, it’s by far the biggest redesign the device has ever received. When mounted on the wall, it looks more like a piece of art hanging than a thermostat – especially in the ‘Polished Gold’ that I’ve been testing, which gives major rosy vibes when the light hits it right. It’s the best-looking smart thermostat around, neither screaming 'technology' nor resembling a classic plastic thermostat. It’s sort of a cross between the two, with a design that allows the true smarts of the Nest Thermostat to shine through. More on that later. Rather than a small, thick circular thermostat that gets placed on a bracket and then a mounting plate if you so desire, the Nest Thermostat fourth-generation has a slightly larger footprint on the wall itself. That’s not a bad thing, because this circular piece is attached via the bracket to your wall, acting as the stand for the thermostat's slim and elegant main hull. It’s kind of like a supersize Google Pixel Watch 3 , with the 3.9-inch circular, almost bezel-free dome giving the impression that it’s floating. You’ll turn this whole piece to the right or left to raise or lower the temperature. Google’s design team is still adamantly against touchscreens here, so you’ll click and turn it to complete most other tasks too (including some parts of the setup process), but you'll mainly use it to adjust heating and cooling modes. The installation was really a breeze; in my apartment in New Jersey, where I’ve been testing the fourth-generation Nest Thermostat for several months, it took me no more than about 15 to 20 minutes to install. I wasn’t upgrading from a previous Nest, but considering the plate here is a different size, you will need to swap those out if you are. That's kind of a bummer, as it’s not a super simple swap for the faithful already invested in the ecosystem. Still, Google provides mostly everything in the box, including the main bracket and a helpful wiring guide. Essentially, you’ll install the main steel bracket and use the included screws to get that on the wall. Then you have the thermostat base, which you’ll guide the wires through. You also get the mounting plate, which I opted to use, but that's optional. Google is continuously moving things into its main Google Home app, which my colleague Lance Ulanoff, TechRadar’s Editor-at-Large, found particularly troublesome when trying to install his fourth-gen Nest Learning Thermostat . In my case, since I was setting this up as new in my ‘Google Home,’ things went a bit more smoothly – though Google Home did take a few tries to successfully connect to the thermostat after proper installation with wiring in my HVAC system, and ultimately, it’s a very basic control app for this thermostat. The idea is that if you're currently using the Nest app, it will push you to use the Google Home app instead, and if you’re new, you’ll need to start with Google Home. Even if you bought the Nest Learning Thermostat for its Matter capability so you can use it with Apple's Home app (which does work eventually), you need to start with Google Home. Luckily, the team brought the easy installation help to the Google app, which will perform some checks, including a test of heating and cooling modes. Once it's set up in Google Home, you get to take advantage of the major benefit of the Nest Learning Thermostat, and that’s the Matter support. Oddly enough, there is no Thread connectivity here, which is a strange omission. If you select your Nest Learning Thermostat within the Google Home app and then navigate to Settings > Device information > Linked Matter apps & services, it will generate a code that you can scan or send to Apple’s Home app, for example. You can also select and review the Matter code on the Nest Learning Thermostat itself. You’ll need to set it up with a Google account in the Google Home app first, but the nice thing about a Nest thermostat is that the app eventually fades away, and you can focus on controlling it from the device itself or let the smart scheduling take the wheel. As far as the classic mechanic, it’s smooth as ever with just the right amount of resistance to maneuvering the dial I’ve had more than a few friends ask me what it is when spotting it on the wall in the front of my apartment – it’s simply an eye-catcher. The 3.9-inch LCD screen almost appears like it’s hidden behind the finish – a cool effect – and the content can change based on where you are. For example, if it doesn’t detect you directly nearby, it will use larger graphics that can be seen from a distance. If you approach, the Soli sensor – read as radar – will detect you and adjust the content as you get nearer. It’s dubbed the ‘Farsight’ display, and you can adjust it to show high and low temperatures, air quality, and even weather. You’ll set these from the device itself, but the weather animations are really neat. It’s also a point of difference with competing thermostats like those from Ecobee, which tosses a speaker and a microphone into select models. I think the Nest Thermostat packs features that make more sense. Seeing the weather quickly as you’re heading out the door or picking what coat to wear is neat. The display feels inherently meshed with this new look – it won’t steer away the folks who have loved Nest from the beginning, and it really looks dynamite. There also isn’t a better control system than just turning to the left or right and pushing in. Apple had it first with the iPod, but considering multitouch, I think it’s the gold standard for thermostat control. Design Score: 4.5/5 The Google Home app is pretty basic, and it has some connectivity issues. Yes, the Nest finally works with Apple Home. The AI-infused learning features impress and make cooling or heating a home easier. I’ve been testing the Nest Thermostat Fourth-Generation for several months, which means I’ve used it for a few seasons, including summer, fall, and winter. That’s pretty important to see how the smart scheduling reasoning and, ultimately, the functionality of the Nest handle the swap from cooling to heating. Much like any other gadget released in 2024, Google has tossed in some AI capabilities, mainly affecting how the Nest Thermostat adjusts the temperature. This makes the previous learning aspects of Nest – arguably, the main appeal – a bit smarter and quicker once you get in a rhythm, but also more actionable. For instance, with the new Smart Schedule feature, you can accept or decline the adjustments it suggests, whether that’s a degree or cooler at night or warmer in the morning. Further, as it begins to notice the change from cooling or heating, it takes a few days to stop suggestions and focus on learning before updating and delivering a custom schedule that you can manage if you like. These minute changes that the Nest Thermostat suggests could lower your energy bill (aka the cost of cooling or heating your home), but you may not see those impacts immediately. What you might be able to do here in the United States is to see if your utility provider offers any rebate for the cost, as the latest Nest isn’t the cheapest. Beyond learning from your habits and adjustments – on the thermostat, via the app, or through a smart assistant – it will consider conditions around your home. For example, if it’s a warmer day in the winter, it might lower your heating temperature to save on energy and factor in that your home might stay warmer for longer on its own. It's the same thing for a cooler summer day, and it works quite well. Similarly, if your forecast predicts a frigid temperature turn, it might turn the heating on earlier to ensure you’re still at a comfortable temperature in your home. As with previous Nest thermostats, you can expect all of these to get better as you spend more time with the unit, and that’s exactly what I’ve found. I wouldn’t go into it expecting it to master your desired temperatures after just a few days, but you need to spend a week or two with it to see meaningful suggestions. The thermostat also comes with a pebble-shaped sensor, which helps measure the temperature more accurately inside your home. The idea is to place this somewhere in your house away from the Nest Thermostat, which contains its own sensor, so it can get a proper read of the temperature and ensure the desired conditions are found throughout. Including this in the box is pretty nice, and helps to make up for the price increase to $280. Unfortunately, although the Nest Thermostat works with Matter and therefore Apple Home the sensor doesn’t seem to move over. There were also several occasions when adjusting the temperature in the Apple Home app didn't work properly the first time, especially shortly after I first installed the unit. Thankfully that's now become far less frequent, and I’ve successfully controlled it from a range of Apple devices and through Siri. You can also integrate it through automation within Apple Home; the same goes for Google Home’s automation. As far as the Google Home app goes, it’s pretty basic for controlling the Nest Learning Thermostat, but that might be intentional as the real appeal is these AI-infused learning features, which ultimately still impress. The fourth-generation Nest Thermostat shows an evolution in terms of features and revolution with design, but it’s still a compelling experience that lets you spend less time fiddling with a thermostat. Performance Score: 4/5 Buy it if... You want an easy-to-use, good-looking thermostat There's never been a better-looking thermostat than the fourth-generation Nest, and luckily, it keeps the impressive controls that made it a winner back in 2011. You want a Nest Thermostat that works with Apple Home Thanks to Matter support, after setup in the Google Home app, you can easily generate a code and add the Nest to your Apple Home. You want a thermostat that factors in environmental conditions and does the heavy lifting for you... Like every Nest thermostat before it, the learning features are the stand out feature here and it now factors in your local weather to see if it needs to adjust the temperature. Don't buy it if... You're not in the United States or Canada Sadly, the fourth-generation Nest is only available in the US and Canada, so you'll need to consider a different model. You don't want to use the Google Home app You'll need to have a Google account and use the Google Home app to setup and get the most out of the Nest Learning Thermostat. Nest Thermostat E – Read our review here With a much more affordable price tag, the Nest Thermostat E is an excellent model to consider if you can find it in stock as it utilizes the same easy controls that put Nest on the map.Jacob Holt scores 23 to help Sacramento State beat Stanislaus State 98-47
MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — Payton Sparks scored 20 points off of the bench to lead Ball State past Evansville 80-43 on Saturday. Sparks had five rebounds for the Cardinals (5-6). Jermahri Hill added 13 points while going 5 of 14 (1 for 5 from 3-point range) while he also had eight rebounds and four steals. Jeremiah Hernandez had 12 points and shot 3 of 9 from the field, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 5 from the line. Michael Day led the Purple Aces (3-9) in scoring, finishing with 13 points. Evansville also got 11 points and seven rebounds from Tanner Cuff. Gui Tesch also recorded five points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, on Thursday withdrew his nomination to be President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general. His decision came after allegations of sexual misconduct. Although the GOP is expected to control the U.S. Senate 53-47 in the upcoming year, it became increasingly clear not enough Republicans were willing to back Gaetz’s nomination. "It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz wrote on Thursday. Gaetz has been under investigation by the Department of Justice for allegations against him of committing statutory rape by paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl and for her to travel with him across state lines. Although that probe was dropped without charges, the House Ethics Committee was looking into the allegations as well. Trump has been filling his Cabinet at a breakneck pace, at times nominating controversial figures like Gaetz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz . Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team. Here is who Trump has picked for his Cabinet so far. Trump’s picks so far: What we know Here are Trump's picks for key positions in his administration, as of Thursday afternoon. What are the Cabinet positions? The Cabinet advises the president on issues related to their respective offices. These are the Cabinet positions from the 15 executive departments, which must be confirmed by the Senate: The Cabinet and presidential advisers can also include the vice president, the chief of staff, the ambassador to the United Nations, the director of National Intelligence, the U.S. trade representative, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, the head of the Office of Management and Budget, the head of the Council of Economic Advisors, the head of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the head of the Small Business Administration. Contributing: Anthony Robledo, James Powel, Aysha Bagchi, Zac Anderson, Darren Samuelsohn, Dan Morrison, Karen Weintraub, Alyssa Goldberg, Tom Vanden Brook, David Jackson, Savannah Kuchar, Victor Hagan, Bart Jansen, Riley Beggin, Michael Collins, Joey Garrison; Kaycee Sloan, the Cincinnati Enquirer; Jim Little; Pensacola News Journal. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
Wild first season in expanded Big 12 comes down to final weekend
Wall Street week ahead: After Fed’s hawkish stance, investors to look for Santa Claus rallyThroughout the years I’ve spent gaming on various platforms, I’ve always found myself drawn to the more cozy side of virtual life. Not exclusively, of course, but I always find myself drifting back to slice-of-life experiences when I need some rest and relaxation. 2024 has been one hell of a year for cozy gaming. Not only did we get updates for ever-popular games, but there were also some surprises along the way that took hold and cemented their place in the cozy sphere. In short, it was a good year to be a cozy gaming fan. With 2024 rapidly coming to an end, here are my top 12 cozy titles from the last 12 months ranked from good to incredible, and every single one of them is worth checking out if you want to de-stress and escape from the real world for a little while. 12. Botany Manor As someone who is seemingly incapable of keeping a succulent alive (seriously, I just took a look at it on my shelf and it’s in a sorry state, but I was at the very least reminded to water it), even I can see the appeal and relaxation that comes with honing your horticultural knowledge and raising a selection of plants from seed to flower. Botany Manor allows you to do just that, without the danger of killing any real-life plants. With point-and-click puzzles and a frankly stunning Victorian Manor setting, it’s easy to kill hours of time just wandering around, getting your virtual fingers dirty as you rediscover lost and forgotten magical flora. Unlocking new areas is done through successfully getting a plant to bloom, giving you a much needed sense of accomplishment every time something grows. 11. Little Kitty, Big City There’s something about cats that can make any game feel cozy, although I might be biased as something of a burgeoning crazy cat lady. However, Little Kitty, Big City deserves a place on this list due to the relaxed way in which you play, as long as you’re not trying to speed run through all of the challenges you face along the way. With a myriad of critters to meet and befriend, from the sewer-portal-creating Raccoon, to the duck with questionable parenting skills, Little Kitty, Big City is almost guaranteed to make you smile as you play. Then there’s the art style, which is undeniably cute, and the story of this little house cat who slowly learns how to exist in the outside world. 10. Shashingo Okay look, Shashingo might not seem all that cozy at first glance, but I urge you to hear me out. At its core, Shashingo is a game designed to help you learn Japanese through virtual photography. Armed with only a camera, you wander around a Japanese city center and take photos of the various items and characters you encounter, with the photo coming complete with both spoken and written translations. So yes, while you’re learning as you play, the concept of stretching your legs and just snapping photos of your surroundings is absolutely a relaxing experience. You can add frames, more of which are available to unlock through gacha machines in various locations, and there’s a mode that challenges you to find different objects so you can test your memory. 9. Little-Known Galaxy Little-Known Galaxy is one of what seems like thousands of pixel life sims that are currently available to download and play, but there’s something just different about it. It has everything that you likely expect from a game of its type – farming, friendships, mining, crafting, and decorating to name but a few – but it’s set on a spaceship in the middle of space. You’re not confined to the spaceship though. As you progress, you’ll unlock your own tiny shuttle that can be used to explore planets both near and far to gather more resources that can’t be found elsewhere. The planets are essentially the equivalent of the Mines in other similar games, but every one of them is different, and the exploration potential seems positively endless. 8. Minami Lane Bizarrely, Minami Lane might be the most stress-inducing entry on this list of supposedly stress-free cozy games, and it doesn’t seem like it would be stressful at all from a quick glance. The art style is completely adorable, the characters are sweet, and the concept is addictive in a weird sort of way. However, trying to meet the requirements to pass a level can be infuriating. You need to balance the wants and needs of both old and young residents, both of which want vastly different things from their street. You need to pick the stock for bookstores, ramen stands, and convenience stores, while making sure everything is aesthetically appealing, and also keeping the trash off the streets. So yes, infuriating, but weirdly enjoyable. 7. Snufkin: Melody of Moomin Valley I love the fact that our review of Snufkin begins with the sentence “I grew up absolutely terrified of Moomins.”, because I feel like that’s a pretty common experience for most people my age, and Melody of Moomin Valle y came out at just the right time to change a lot of minds about the strangely creepy little hippo-esque creatures. Without any combat to work your way through, Melody of Moomin Valley centers around various instruments that can be used to overcome obstacles, solve puzzles, and generally interact with the world around you as you play. The art style is beautiful, and the waves of nostalgia will hit you like a rock to the face, even if you were creeped out by Moomins as a child. 6. Stardew Valley Before you say anything, yes I know that Stardew Valley first released eight years ago, but we did get a hefty update in the form of 1.6 and that has dragged a lot of players to Pelican Town, both new and returning after long breaks. I know that this entry is a bit of a cheeky one, but there were various parts of 1.6 that earned Stardew Valley at least a mention on this list. Stardew needs no description at this point. It’s the grandfather of endless cozy games that have tried to ride on its coattails, some of which have succeeded. It’s always cozy, and there’s an endless number of things to keep you entertained. With 1.6 now available on all platforms, now is the time to jump back in or give it a try. 5. Summerhouse While the majority of the titles on this list are life sims, Summerhouse is different . Rather than living out a life through your mouse, all that’s required of you is to build. Each item placed down has the possibility of unlocking a new building block, making Summerhouse feel like LEGO for adults. You can play with two different art styles, either pixelated or not, and there’s no end to what can be achieved using the pieces at your disposal. Everything just slots together in such a satisfying way and even if you have absolutely no building skills, you’ll be able to create something beautiful. I speak from experience. 4. Tavern Talk Tavern Talk takes the concept of an RPG and flips it on its head, turning you into a partially controllable NPC. You’re the barkeep at a fantasy Tavern, and through your conversations with various fantasy folk, you learn about the world around you while crafting drinks imbued with magical properties to help them on the quests you dish out. Tavern Talk has a stunning, anime-esque art style and every single character you encounter is unique and relatable. Whether you have issues believing in yourself like Fable, or you’re a loner like Caerlin, you’re sure to find someone who reminds you of yourself. There’s comedy, too, and did I mention that there’s a cute little creature called Andu that will happily slurp down any drinks you make incorrectly? Adorable. 3. Infinity Nikki There are two groups of people when it comes to Infinity Nikki : those who have played the previous Nikki games, and those who have just discovered it through the latest iteration. For those who had never played the previous mobile games, the success and joy of Infinity Nikki might come as a surprise, but the open-world RPG release has taken a firm hold in the cozy gaming community. Yes, it’s a dress-up game filled with frilly dresses and adorable creatures. But it’s more than just that. There are endless quests to complete, a compelling story, an absolutely stunning world to explore, and the possibilities for future updates are practically infinite – pun intended. If you don’t want to gamble on new outfits, one of the best things about Infinity Nikki is that you don’t have to, even if it is a gacha game. Most of the outfits are purely cosmetic, and you’re given everything you need as you progress through the main story, making the gacha side of things truly optional. 2. Tiny Glade If you’ve ever read any of my previous outpourings of love for Tiny Glade , then you’ll know how I feel about it, but I’m always happy for further opportunities to shout my praise for this glorious title from the rooftops. Tiny Glade is a stunning game that, much like Summerhouse , only requires you to build. The development duo at PounceLight have poured their souls into the game, constantly listening to player feedback and implementing new features as they’re requested. These features allow players to build absolutely stunning dioramas that mess with perspective and challenge what should be possible. The latest update gave players the freedom to move clutter items, which was my single gripe, so now I can safely say that Tiny Glade is the perfect game to pour hours of your life into if you need something utterly relaxing and stress-free. 1. Fields of Mistria I’m pretty sure that this will come as a surprise to absolutely nobody. Fields of Mistria released into early access back in August 2024, and it cemented its place in the cozy gaming history books remarkably quickly. Back in June, during Steam Next Fest, I wrote that I could see myself pouring hours of my life into the pixel world , but even I didn’t expect to fall in love with it quite as much as I did. For those interested, my hour-count is now hovering somewhere around 500. Not only is the art style cute, it’s also impeccably clean . Every single character has their own personality, all of which are likable in their own way, and there is never a shortage of things to do. You can spend hours perfecting the aesthetic of your farm and house, or you can explore the Mines, or simply build relationships with all of the villagers in Mistria. Did I mention that you can both jump and swim? That alone puts Fields of Mistria firmly at the top of the cozy games list. Perhaps this shouldn’t come as a shock, considering the fact that the developers are also responsible for the household name that is Pusheen , but Fields of Mistria has proven that it has all of the elements that cozy gamers are looking for, and it’s here to stay, with more updates promised in 2025.Amazon launched a new delivery drone that has “double the range and half the noise” of any of its predecessors. The new MK30 drone received Federal Aviation Administration approval to begin operations for customers in October and was launched in locations in Arizona and Texas in November, the company said in a Wednesday ( Dec. 11 ) press release . The drone is now delivering items that weigh five pounds or less to designated areas near select addresses close to Amazon’s fulfillment center in Tolleson, Arizona , according to the release . “It is the first drone we have developed from the ground up using a requirements-based process including more stringent requirements that will allow us to eventually reach a half billion customers annually,” Stephen Wells , chief project engineer for the Prime Air team, said in the release. “We designed it with aerospace levels of reliability and redundancy.” The drone can operate safely in light rain, has redundant flight-critical systems to ensure no single point of failure can cause loss of control of the drone, and includes a perception system to detect and avoid aircraft and other obstacles that may not have been captured in satellite imagery, per the release. “The MK30’s operational certification is a huge milestone for Amazon’s goal of having drones deliver 500 million packages globally by the end of the decade,” the release said. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said in an April 11 letter to shareholders that drone delivery has the potential to revolutionize the grocery and pharmacy sectors by offering rapid delivery of packages within the hour, transforming the way perishable items are ordered and received. “It won’t start off being available for all sizes of packages and in all locations, but we believe it’ll be pervasive over time,” Jassy wrote in the letter. “Think about how the experience of ordering perishable items changes with sub-one-hour delivery.” Drone delivery is the latest battleground between Amazon and Walmart , with both retail giants taking to the skies to establish dominance in the delivery game, PYMNTS reported in October 2023. At the time, Walmart had successfully fulfilled over 10,000 deliveries with its drone delivery operations across seven states and 36 stores.Patriots' coaches enter bye week confident Drake Maye can be a franchise quarterback
GameStop jumps after cryptic post from ‘Roaring Kitty’ rekindles retail hypeThe New York Giants (2-12) bring a nine-game losing streak into a meeting against the Atlanta Falcons (7-7) on Sunday, December 22, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. What channel is Falcons vs. Giants on? What time is Falcons vs. Giants? The Falcons and the Giants play at 1 p.m. ET. NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. Falcons vs. Giants betting odds, lines, spread Falcons vs. Giants recent matchups Falcons schedule Giants schedule NFL week 16 schedule This content was created for Gannett using technology provided by Data Skrive.
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Bangladesh’s Vision 2041 takes centre stage in DohaMoney Research Collective’s editorial team solely created this content. Opinions are their own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear. Many featured companies advertise with us. How we make money . By Marc Guberti MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE December 5, 2024 Investing in assets can put you in a better position by the time you’re ready to retire. While stocks and real estate have received plenty of attention over the years, gold remains a reliable investment that has been around for thousands of years. It’s an essential resource for many industries, is a medium of exchange and serves as a safe-haven asset during geopolitical unrest or periods of market volatility. Gold is a hedge against inflation and can thrive during economic uncertainty. That last advantage is a key distinction that separates it from stocks and real estate. However, physical gold doesn’t produce yield like dividend stocks or cash flow like investment properties. Fortunately, it’s still possible to use precious metals to generate retirement income. This guide will explain several ways to use gold for retirement income. Open a gold IRA A gold individual retirement account — or gold IRA — allows you to accumulate physical precious metals in a tax-advantaged account. You won’t have to worry about gold storage, as the IRA’s custodian will handle it. You can then cash out on your gold holdings when you need to cover living expenses. The IRS sets limits for how much you can contribute to an IRA, whether it’s a conventional or gold IRA. If you make the maximum contribution to a gold IRA, you can’t contribute to another IRA. The maximum contribution for traditional and Roth IRAs is currently capped at $7,000 per year for those age 49 and younger. The IRS raises this limit periodically, but you can make catch-up contributions if you are 50 years or older. Catch-up contributions allow you to invest an additional $1,000 into your IRA each year. Anyone can open a Roth IRA, but your modified adjusted gross income must be below $146,000 to contribute the full amount. Investors who earn too much for a Roth IRA can use the backdoor method to fund it. This involves moving funds from a traditional IRA — which doesn’t have income restrictions — to a Roth IRA. Some gold IRA providers give you the flexibility to set up traditional and Roth IRAs. Learn more by reading our guide to the best gold IRA companies . Invest in gold stocks and gold ETFs Gold stocks are easier to buy and manage than physical gold. You also wouldn’t need a separate IRA just for gold investments. However, gold stocks can underperform the precious metal due to several factors. For instance, Newmont Corp. — the world’s largest gold mining company — has only seen its stock gain 13% over the past five years, failing to keep pace with gold prices , which have gained more than 70% during the same period. Varying financial performances and opportunities result in gold stocks having different results than physical gold. Investors have to trust that a company will make good business decisions instead of leaning exclusively on the long-term reliability of gold. However, gold stocks have an edge with liquidity, especially if you want to receive dividends. For example, Newmont has a dividend yield above 2%, and it’s not the only gold stock that offers a good dividend. Some people prefer to avoid the complexities of converting physical gold into cash and opt for dividends and stocks instead. Some gold exchange-traded funds also produce yield, which help generate income in retirement. These gold ETFs hold baskets of gold mining companies, whereas some gold ETFs are backed by physical gold and do not pay dividends. Similar to gold stocks, gold ETFs have also lagged the gains of physical gold. For example, while the VanEck Gold Miners ETF has a dividend that yields around 1.34%, it gained 41.55% over the past five years compared to the 70% return for physical gold. Buy physical gold and exchange it when necessary It takes more time to buy physical gold than buying a stock, including finding a reputable and trustworthy gold dealer . Physical gold isn’t as liquid, and you are responsible for storage (and optional gold insurance , as well). However, a key advantage of physical gold is that you claim full ownership of the asset. While gold ETFs and IRAs give you exposure to gold and better liquidity, buying the physical asset gives you the most control. Some people value having control over the asset instead of trusting a custodian, gold miner or fund manager. Luckily, physical gold commands a lot of value without taking up much space. A kilogram of gold is smaller than most iPhones, and an ounce of gold is about half the size of an iPhone. It’s easy to hide and move gold around if needed, but it’s still good to find professional storage and get it insured in case something happens. Physical gold should continue to gain value due to inflation. Then, you can sell your gold bars and coins when you need extra retirement funds. Should gold be a part of your retirement strategy? Putting all of your eggs in one basket is very risky, and that’s why many experts recommend diversifying your portfolio. Gold can be a valuable part of the mix, as its returns aren’t correlated to the stock market. The prices of precious metals can hold steady or gain value when stocks and real estate enter corrections. And while expert opinions on gold vary, many agree that investors shouldn’t allocate more than 5-10% of their portfolio to the precious metal. This amount of exposure provides a good buffer against inflation while allowing you to allocate funds to other asset classes. IRAs are attractive options for gold investors who want to capitalize on tax benefits while growing their portfolios. Conventional IRAs reduce your present taxable income, while Roth IRAs shield you from taxes on your distributions and capital gains. While those types of accounts can hold gold-backed equities like stocks and ETFs, only gold IRAs can hold precious metals. Investors should assess their long-term goals and financial situations before accumulating gold.
Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman who was at the center of a Southern California missing persons investigation before authorities said she voluntarily crossed into Mexico, has been found safe, her family said Wednesday. In their brief statement, her mother and sister did not say when or where Kobayashi, 30, was found. They thanked supporters and said they were grateful she had been located. “This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through,” the statement said. Kobayashi’s family said last week that they were investigating whether she may have been part of a green card marriage scam . A report in Los Angeles Magazine said she may have been involved in a possible immigration scam, but a lawyer for the family has said they had not been able to verify information about a possible "secret marriage" and asked the public to avoid jumping to conclusions. Kobayashi’s father died by suicide Nov. 24 after the family went to Los Angeles last month to search for her. Kobayashi, an aspiring artist, landed at Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 8 with plans to catch a connecting flight to New York City, where she planned to visit the Museum of Modern Art, her family said. She missed her connecting flight and was reported missing five days later, after she sent a message to her family that described being scared and suggested that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity, according to her aunt. Los Angeles police found video showing Kobayashi crossing into Mexico via a San Diego land port on Nov. 12. Police officials said that Kobayashi intentionally missed her flight and that there was no evidence of human trafficking or foul play. A review of her social media accounts led investigators to believe "there were some desires or posts that would be consistent in somebody who would have the desire to disconnect from their phone," said one of the officials, Lt. Douglas Oldfield of police department's Missing Persons Unit. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org . You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
Tiger Woods has collaborated with 11-time MLB All-Star baseball ace Mike Trout to design a golf course in New Jersey, USA. And construction of the Trout National - The Reserve is now complete. The course, which was finished in October, stretches 7,455 yards and is a par-72 layout. And all 18 holes are fully grassed thanks to the weather in the area. Woods’ architecture firm TGR Design took care of the project, with the course including a clubhouse in the style of a stately manor. According to Golf.com , the course design is meant to bring out imaginative shot-making. In a nod to baseball, a comfort station called the Dugout is nearing completion between the 14th and 16th tees. A refreshment hangout is located between the 6th and 11th holes in an area golfers will keep passing during their round. The hangout features wrap-around terraces, fire pits and an outdoor cooking as well as a bar. There is also a fully-lit short course, a putting course and a short game area. There is also a performance centre with three hitting bays. The clubhouse is created with slate roofs, limestone walls and timber accents and features a spa, a barber shop, a bowling alley, a fitness centre and a 2,500 bottle wine cellar. There is a helipad as well as five cottages and two lodges for guests who want to stay overnight. The club is set for its grand opening in April 2026, with member play expected to get underway next year. And Trout’s brother Tyler, who heads up the club’s development team, explained: “It’s going to be challenging. But I don’t see people losing a lot of balls around here. “It’s going to have a feel that has been growing in golf over the past decade or so. It’s pure golf. You don’t see any houses. But the culture and vibe are more modern and relaxed.” Woods visited the site with Trout before work on the course got underway last year. And at the time, the 48-year-old stated: “Mike and [land owner] John [Ruga] found a site with a lot of character to make some outstanding golf holes. “The sandy and diverse terrain has so many great natural features that have given us a lot of options on how to create a world-class golf course.” And Trout added: “Some of my favourite golf experiences have been ones that have challenged my game while still having fun, and that’s what we wanted to create at Trout National - The Reserve. “Tiger, John and I walked hole by hole, and this course will do just that. Our vision and his design is creating something special here in my hometown.”
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-12-05T21:47:17+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-12-05T21:47:17+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-12-05T22:58:51+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22380/sports/basketball/wbla-what-you-need-to-know-as-reg-apr-carry-rwandan-flag-in-dakar", "headline": "WBLA: What you need to know as REG, APR carry Rwandan flag in Dakar", "description": "Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and APR women’s basketball clubs are in Dakar, Senegal, representing Rwanda at the Women's Basketball League Africa...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22380/sports/basketball/wbla-what-you-need-to-know-as-reg-apr-carry-rwandan-flag-in-dakar" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/05/65711.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/05/65711.jpg" }, "articleBody": "Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and APR women’s basketball clubs are in Dakar, Senegal, representing Rwanda at the Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA), which tips off on Friday, December 6. REG women secured the ticket to the continental tournament after emerging as the first runners-up at the Zone V tournament that took place in Zanzibar in November while APR qualified through a wild card, having fallen short of qualification after finishing fourth place at the same qualifying tournament. Weekend Sport highlights things you need to know about the two Rwandan flag bearers at the tournament. How they qualified REG had a good run in the 11-team WBLA FIBA Africa Zone 5 qualifiers held in Zanzibar, claiming the silver medal after losing 93-69 to eventual winners Al Ahly SC of Egypt in the final. They were drawn in Group C alongside Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya, Gladiators of Burundi and Fox Divas of Tanzania. After advancing beyond the group stages, REG met compatriots APR at the knockout stage and beat them 82-77 in an all-Rwandan confrontation across the border. Speedy guard Victoria Reynolds scored 26 points in the match. ALSO READ: APR in final preps for 2024 Africa Women's Basketball League One of the team's other treasured results of the tournament was their 86-73 victory over former regional champions and Kenyan champions Equity Bank Hawks. In the game, the bankers were hurt most by the Kenyan international duo of Reynolds and Mercy Wanyama. Meanwhile, APR had failed to qualify for the WBLA until FIBA Africa awarded them a wild card for the tournament. Key players Point guard Destiney Philoxy remains the engine that drives the REG machine. ALSO READ: REG qualifies for 2024 Women's Basketball League Africa She will get some much-needed help from Khayla Pointer, who was drafted in 2021 by two-time WNBA champions Las Vegas Aces. Other key players expected to lead the team to their first podium finish are Burundian centre Ines Nezerwa and Senegalese power forward Aminata Ly. For APR, it is Italee Lucas, a 1.73m guard. Lucas graduated University of North Carolina in 2011. She was drafted by Tulsa Shock (WNBA) in 2011 in the 2nd round (21 overall).", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Damas Sikubwabo" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack Awards season has arrived in the form of the Golden Globes nominations. The awards, which honor both movies and television programs, is often viewed as a preview of the upcoming Oscars. In this week's episode, co-hosts Bruce Miller and Terry Lipshetz go over the list, focusing largely on the movies, which tend to shine brightest at the ceremony. But they also take time to review a few of the TV shows, including the great, but rarely funny "The Bear," which is again in the comedy or musical category. We also have an interview with "Nickel Boys" director RaMell Ross, who spoke with Miller prior to the film receiving a nomination for best drama. Miller also talked with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who starred in the film. Complete list of Golden Globe nominations People are also reading... Movies Best motion picture, comedy or musical “Wicked”; “Anora”; “Emilia Perez”; “Challengers”; “A Real Pain”; “The Substance” Best motion picture, drama “The Brutalist”; “A Complete Unknown,”; “Conclave”; “Dune: Part Two”; “Nickel Boys;” “September 5” Best performance by a male actor in a motion picture, musical or comedy Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Hugh Grant, “Heretic”; Gabriel LaBelle, “Saturday Night; Jesse Plemons, “Kinds of Kindness”’ Glen Powell, “Hitman”; Sebastian Stan, “A Different Man” Best performance by a female actor in a motion picture, musical or comedy Amy Adams, “Nightbitch”; Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”; Karla Sofia Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”; Mikey Madison “Anora”; Demi Moore, “The Substance”; Zendaya, “Challengers” Best performance by a female male actor in a motion picture, drama Pamela Anderson, “The Last Showgirl′′; Angelina Jolie, ”Maria”; Nicole Kidman, “Babygirl”; Tilda Swinton, “The Room Next Door”; Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”; Kate Winslet, “Lee” Best performance by a male actor in a motion picture, drama Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”; Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown’; Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”; Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”; Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice’’ Cinematic and box office achievement “Alien: Romulus”; Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”; Deadpool & Wolverine”; “Gladiator II”; “Inside Out 2”; “Twisters”; “Wicked”; “The Wild Robot” Best motion picture, non-English “All We Imagine As Light′′; ”Emilia Pérez”; “The Girl With the Needle”; “I’m Still Here”; “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”; “Vermiglio” Best animated film “Flow”; “Inside Out 2”; “Memoir of a Snail”; “Moana 2”; “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”; “The Wild Robot” Best performance by a female actor in a supporting role in any motion picture Selena Gomez, ”Emilia Pérez”; Ariana Grande, “Wicked”; Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”; Margaret Qualley, “The Substance”; Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”; Zoe Saldaña, ”Emilia Pérez” Best performance by a male actor in a supporting role in any motion picture Yura Borisov, “Anora”; Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”; Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”; Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”; Jeremy Strong, ”The Apprentice”; Denzel Washington, “Gladiator II” Best director Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Edward Berger, “Conclave”; Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Payal Kapadia, “All We Imagine As Light” Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack Best screenplay Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold, “The Brutalist”; Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Peter Straughan, “Conclave” Best original score Volker Bertelmann, “Conclave”; Daniel Blumberg, “The Brutalist”; Kris Bowers, “The Wild Robot”; Clement Ducol, Camille “Emilia Pérez”; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, “Challengers”; Hans Zimmer, “Dune: Part Two” Best original song “Beautiful That Way” from “The Last Showgirl” (music/lyrics by Andrew Wyatt, Miley Cyrus, Lykke Zachrisson); “Compress/Repress” from “Challengers’ (music/lyrics by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Luca Guadagnino; “El Mal” from EL MAL” from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille, Jacques Audiard; “Forbidden Road” from ”Better Man′′ (music/lyrics by Robbie Williams, Freddy Wexler, Sacha Skarbek); “Kiss the Sky” from “The Wild Robot′′ (music/lyrics by Delacey, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Maren Morris, Michael Pollack, Ali Tamposi); ”Mi Camino′′ from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille) Television Best television drama “Shogun”; “The Diplomat”; “Slow Horses”; “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; “The Day of the Jackal”; “Squid Game” Best television series, comedy or musical “Abbott Elementary”; “The Bear; “Hacks”; “Nobody Wants This”; “Only Murders in the Building”; “The Gentlemen” Best performance by a male actor in a television series, drama Donald Glover, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; Jake Gyllenhaal, “Presumed Innocent”; Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”; Eddie Redmayne, “The Day of the Jackal”; Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shogun”; Billy Bob Thornton, “Landman” Best performance by a female actor in a television series-drama Kathy Bates, “Matlock”; Emma D’Arcy, “House of the Dragon”; Maya Erskine, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”; Keira Knightley, “Black Doves”; Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”; Anna Sawai, “Shogun” Best performance by a female actor in a television series-musical or comedy Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”; Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”; Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”; Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”; Kathryn Hahn, “Agatha All Along”; Jean Smart, “Hacks” Best performance by a male actor in a television series-musical or comedy Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”; Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside”; Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jason Segel, “Shrinking”; Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jeremy All White, “The Bear” Best television limited series, anthology series or motion picture made for television “Baby Reindeer”; Disclaimer"; “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; “The Penguin”; “Ripley”; “True Detective: Night Country” Best performance by a female actor in a limited series, anthology series or a motion picture made for television Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer''; Jodie Foster, ”True Detective: Night Country"; Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin''; Sofia Vergara, ”Griselda"; Naomi Watts, “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”; Kate Winslet, “The Regime” Best performance by a male actor in a limited series, anthology series or a motion picture made for television Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”; Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”; Kevin Kline, “Disclaimer”; Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Ewan McGregor, “A Gentleman in Moscow”; Andrew Scott, “Ripley” Best performance by a female actor in a supporting role on television Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”; Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”; Dakota Fanning, “Ripley”; Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”; Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”; Kali Reis, “True Detective: Night Country” Best performance by a male actor in a supporting role on television Tadanobu Asano, “Shogun''; Javier Bardem, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”; Jack Lowden “Slow Horses”; Diego Luna, “La Maquina”; Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear” Best performance in stand-up comedy on television Jamie Foxx, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was”; Nikki Glaser, “Nikki Glaser: Someday You'll Die”; Seth Meyers, “Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking”; Adam Sandler, "Adam Sandler: Love You"; Ali Wong, “Ali Wong: Single Lady”; Ramy Youssef, “Ramy Youssef: More Feelings” —List compiled by The Associated Press Stay up-to-date on what's happeningNEW YORK , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share on the Company's Class A and Common Stock for the third quarter of fiscal 2025. The dividend is payable on March 14, 2025 , to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 31, 2025 . Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Apple’s US$1 billion investment may be fleeting win for IndonesiaLetter: You heard what?
A wild first season of the expanded Big 12 is down to what should be a chaotic final weekend. Through all the upsets, unexpected rises and falls, there are nine teams still in the mix to play in the conference championship game. No. 14 Arizona State and No. 17 Iowa State have the best odds, yet a multitude of scenarios could play out — 256 to be exact. There's even the possibility of an eight-team tie. It may take a mathematician to figure out which teams are in the Dec. 7 game in Arlington, Texas — even for the ones who win. Travis Hunter, Colorado. The Buffaloes' two-way star has excelled on both sides of the field, making him one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State. The senior running back can do a little of everything, but excels at punishing would-be tacklers. He's one of the nation's leaders in yards after contact and the focal point of the Sun Devils' offense. Shadeur Sanders, Colorado. If it weren't for Hunter, Sanders might be the Heisman favorite. The son of coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur is fifth nationally with 3,488 yards passing and has been a big part of the Buffaloes' turnaround. DJ Giddens, Kansas State. The Wildcats' running back is one of the nation's most versatile players. He is ninth nationally with 1,271 rushing yards and has added 21 receptions for 258 yards. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona. The Wildcats have struggled this season, but McMillan has not. He is third nationally with 1,251 receiving yards with seven touchdowns on 78 catches. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech. The Red Raiders' junior linebacker leads the Big 12 with 68 tackles, averaging 10.2 per game. He also has four sacks. Brendan Mott, Kansas State. He's a menace to opposing quarterbacks, leading the Big 12 with 8 1/2 sacks. The Big 12 has nine teams already bowl eligible and two more a win away. The winner of the Big 12 championship game will be in the mix for a College Football Playoff spot. Arizona State, Iowa State, No. 19 BYU, Colorado, Kansas State, Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia have already clinched bowl berths. Kansas and Cincinnati can get into the postseason with wins this weekend. Gus Malzahn, UCF. Despite successes in recruiting, the Knights are 10-14 in two seasons since moving to the Big 12. Maybe not enough to get shown the door this year, but another mediocre season could lead UCF to make a change. Kyle Whittingham, Utah. Whittingham was one of the Pac-12's best coaches, leading the Utes to consecutive conference titles. Utah was expected to contend for the Big 12 title its first year in the league, but enters the final weekend 1-7 in conference play, which could push Whittingham toward retirement since it's doubtful he'd be fired. Neal Brown, West Virginia. The Mountaineers' coach was in a precarious spot at the end of last season and West Virginia hasn't lived up to expectations this season. The Mountaineers are eligible to go to a bowl game for the second straight season, but Brown could be on the hot seat even after signing a contract extension before the season. Josiah Trotter, West Virginia. The redshirt freshman is the latest Trotter to have success at the linebacker position, following the footsteps of his father, former Philadelphia Eagles player Jeremiah Trotter, and brother Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a current Eagles linebacker. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State. The Michigan State transfer has been just what the Sun Devils' needed: an agile quarterback who extends plays with his legs and rarely makes bad decisions. Bryson Washington, Baylor. The Bears' running back has rushed for 812 yards — 196 against TCU — and 10 TDs. TCU has the Big 12's highest rated 2025 recruiting class with six four-star players among 26 commitments, according to the 247 Sports composite. Receiver Terry Shelton of Carrollton, Texas, is the highest-rated recruit at 71st nationally. Baylor is next with five five-star players among its 20 commitments, including running back Michael Turner, rated 13th at his position out of North Richland Hills, Texas. Texas Tech is ranked seventh in the Big 12, but has four four-star recruits.Chelsea Manning, the former Army intelligence analyst behind one of the largest leaks of classified information in history, was among a group of activists arrested Thursday outside of House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office after taking part in a protest advocating for transgender rights. The protest took place outside of Johnson’s office in the Cannon House Office Building. It comes after Johnson supported a GOP-led effort to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms at the US Capitol, and one day after transgender rights took center stage in a high-profile case at the Supreme Court. “I’m here today because every person deserves dignity and respect, both in daily life and in more symbolic places like the U.S. Capitol,” Manning, who is a transgender woman, said in a statement to CNN. “As someone who has fought against similar rules, I know what it’s like to feel pushed aside and erased,” Manning said. “But I also know the incredible power and resilience our community has. I’m not here as a leader or a spokesperson but simply as another member of my community who shows up unconditionally to support my siblings in this fight. I will stand beside them no matter what. We didn’t start this fight, but we are together now.” A contentious debate came to a head on Capitol Hill last month after GOP Rep. Nancy Mace filed a resolution to prevent transgender women from using women’s bathrooms in the US Capitol. The move by Mace came after Democratic Rep.-elect Sarah McBride became the first out transgender woman elected to Congress. The US Capitol Police told CNN that around 15 people were arrested as a result of the protest on Thursday. It is against the law to protest inside congressional office buildings or inside the US Capitol. Other protestors could be heard on Thursday shouting a number of things, including “Democrats, grow a spine, trans lives are on the line.” Johnson’s office in Cannon is directly across from the women’s bathroom. Manning was convicted in 2013 of stealing 750,000 pages of classified documents and videos and disseminating them to WikiLeaks, the online anti-secrecy group. In 2017, then-President Barack Obama commuted Manning’s sentence.