Rock Island continued its early season success with an 83-46 victory over the Chicago-based Bowen Boilermakers early Saturday afternoon on Day 2 of the Rock Island Thanksgiving Tournament. The Rocks shot 75 percent from the field in the first half and their defense caused 17 turnovers in a well-rounded performance. “We came out and I felt like we did do what we needed to do,” Rock Island head coach Marc Polite said. “We got off to a slow start, but once we settled down, we were able to get some distance.” Bowen is part of the Chicago Public Blue South Conference and finished last season second in the conference with a 21-11 record. However, the Boilermakers have now started the season 0-3. The Rocks pressured the Boilermakers early and often, forcing Bowen to cough up the ball 14 times in the first half with typical Rock Island fullcourt press. The stifling Rocks’ defense did not allow much breathing room for any Bowen offensive player. The Boilermakers solely relied on senior Rae’Qwon Rogers, who scored 17 of Bowen’s 27 first half points, mostly on one-on-one isolation play. Rogers only had two points after halftime. “Bowen is a tough cover,” Polite said. "Whenever a team like them has five guards that they can put on the floor that can dribble and are aggressive with the ball, it really tests our defensive principles. I thought we made some good adjustments after they got rolling in the first quarter.” Bowen took a narrow two-point lead (11-9) with just over four minutes left. The Rocks then turned up the intensity on the defensive side of the ball, ending the quarter on a 13-5 run. Rock Island also shot the ball at a blistering pace in the first quarter, nailing nine of their first 13 attempts, including three-point plays by juniors Avian Thomas and Lawson Zulu. “I felt like we came out strong,” Thomas said. “It was a little sloppy in the beginning, but we came together as a group and stuck with each other and still believed in each other throughout the game.” Thomas had 15 points, with Zulu leading all Rocks with 17 points. The Rocks continued their offensive dominance in the second quarter, ending the first half by converting their last nine shots. Eight of those were either transition layups on Bowen turnovers, or layups in the half-court offense off beautiful assists. “We finally got into a rhythm,” Polite said. “We are a rhythm-based team, and I thought we strung together some possessions that we were indicative of what we were trying to do on the offensive end. I felt like we had two or three stretches where we had some great offensive rhythm and moved the ball around.” “I feel like our aggressiveness leads to our offense,” Thomas added. "When we are hitting wide open shots, we are a tough team to beat.” The Rocks were comfortably ahead at halftime, leading 49-27, and ended the half on a 19-7 run. “That is a big testament to our offense,” Polite said. "I thought we moved the ball well. We have guys who are ball-tough. With teams like Bowen and Dyatt on Friday, they really get after you, and we have to be tough and strong with the basketball.” Rock Island had an amusing moment halfway through the third quarter. Senior Jae’Vion “Juice” Clark-Pugh split the Boilermaker defenders with a monstrous one-handed dunk. The problem was that the ball popped straight up, and Clark-Pugh used his off-hand to dunk the ball again while still hanging on the rim. “I did not think ‘Juice’ was going to grab the ball and put it back in,” Thomas said. “If he had let go, I think the ball would have gone in. But that made us all laugh, and that is what he brings to the team. He is an energetic, big, fun guy and we love him.” “Juice is an athletic kid,” Polite said of that moment. “I thought he played his best game thus far. He played a really complete game. I thought he finished well and played good defense and rebounded the ball well. For us to be successful this year, we are going to need some games like this from him.” Clark-Pugh had 15 points, with all his baskets coming from around the rim. It was not all good news for the Rocks. In the late stages of the third quarter, Rocks’ glue guy and senior Isaiss Duarte went for a layup, with the Rocks up 68-27. Duarte fell hard on his right wrist and was in obvious pain. He immediately went to the locker room with the Rock Island trainer and did not return. “Duarte has to get an X-ray and figure out what is going on,” Polite said. “I think initially, it maybe felt a little bit worse than what it was, but we are hoping to get positive.” Duarte had seven points before leaving with the injury. “’Zay’ is our energy guy,” Thomas said. “He brings in that defense and tenacity, and we are going to miss him. Hopefully, we can have him back by next week, and I think Deven Marshall is going to come in and fill that role. He has been playing really well in this tournament.” The Rocks closed the tournament with a game against Rockridge (2-1) on Saturday night. Details were not available at press time. A full story will be published on Monday. The Rockets fell in a hard-fought, defensive mid-afternoon game against Dyatt, 54-43 on Saturday. “We are a next-man-up. That has always been our philosophy,” Polite said. “We have other guys whare are going to have to step in to contribute and cover some of his stuff. Duarte does so much for us.” Thomas is greatly anticipating Saturday night’s game. “Rockridge is a tough opponent,” Thomas said. "If we play together as a team and throw the first punch like we have been doing over the past three games, we can get out early and run away with this game.” Sent weekly directly to your inbox! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Washington, D.C., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RAINN , the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, today announced it has been selected as a winner of the 2024 Amazon Web Services (AWS) IMAGINE Grant , a public grant opportunity open to registered charities in the United Kingdom and Ireland and registered 501(c) nonprofit organizations in the United States who are using technology to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. The grant will support RAINN’s efforts to expedite access to trauma-informed support for sexual violence survivors of all ages, delivering critical interventions where people already communicate. Now in its seventh year, the AWS IMAGINE Grant provides vital resources to nonprofit organizations looking to deploy cloud technology as a central tool to achieve mission goals. As part of the program, AWS seeks proposals for big ideas on how to leverage cloud technology in new and innovative ways to accelerate impact in local and global communities. RAINN was named a winner in the Pathfinder – Generative AI category, which recognizes highly innovative, mission-critical projects that leverage generative AI. RAINN will receive up to $200,000 in unrestricted funding, up to $100,000 in AWS Promotional Credits, and implementation support from the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center . Proposals were judged on several factors including the innovative and unique nature of the project, impact on mission-critical goals, and clearly defined outcomes and milestones. RAINN will use AWS generative AI services to integrate RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline and additional support mediums for survivors directly into social media, gaming, and social networking sites. Through this integration, RAINN aims to expedite access to trauma-informed support for sexual violence survivors of all ages, delivering critical interventions where people already communicate. “RAINN is honored to be a 2024-2025 Amazon Web Services IMAGINE Pathfinder recipient,” said Bill Bondurant , Chief Technology Officer for RAINN. “AWS enables RAINN support specialists to connect with survivors, especially those from vulnerable populations, where they are already communicating and may be most comfortable accessing support. Reaching out for help is already difficult, and removing barriers to accessing crisis support for survivors is a critical component of RAINN’s mission. Together, utilizing AWS services, we will help more survivors and work towards creating a world free from sexual violence.” "At AWS, we're inspired by the nonprofit sector's unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity and health of people and our planet," said Allyson Fryhoff, managing director of nonprofit and nonprofit health at AWS. "Our Imagine Grant winners are pioneering groundbreaking, technology-driven approaches that will amplify their mission impact and build a more equitable and compassionate world. We are thrilled to work alongside these organizations, helping them leverage the transformative capabilities of the AWS Cloud to bring these projects to life.” Since the launch of the IMAGINE Grant program in 2018, AWS has awarded over $14M in unrestricted funds, AWS Promotional Credits, and expert technical guidance to over 130 nonprofit organizations in support of their technology-driven goals. Previous winners are currently using AWS services to tackle critical challenges such as eliminating barriers to food security , improving maternal health outcomes , helping millions access clean and safe drinking water globally, tackling rare disease research, and more. Over 85,000 nonprofit organizations worldwide use AWS to increase their impact and advance mission goals. Through multiple programs tailored specifically to the nonprofit community, AWS enables nonprofits of all sizes to overcome barriers to technology adoption, while enhancing the scale, performance, and capabilities of mission operations. For more information on the AWS IMAGINE Grant, visit https://aws.amazon.com/government-education/nonprofits/aws-imagine-grant-program/ ### About RAINN RAINN , the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, help organizations improve their sexual assault prevention and response programs, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, free, confidential help is available 24/7 by calling 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visiting hotline.RAINN.org . Contact: Erinn Robinson Director of Media Relations media@rainn.org
Social media platform Threads , which is a part of Meta Platforms META is rolling out new search tools as it looks to compete with X and fast-growing competitor Bluesky . What Happened: Threads, which like Bluesky, has been trending and gaining new subscribers as people look for alternatives to Elon Musk's X platform. The Meta-owned company announced new search tools, which include the option to refine searches by a profile and date range. The update will roll out globally over the coming weeks, according to the company. "We're making it easier for you to search for specific posts here," the company said. While the new search tools still pale in comparison to ways to find posts on X, Threads can better compete with Bluesky, according to a report from TechCrunch. On Bluesky, users can search by user profiles and date ranges. Prior to the latest Threads update, the platform offered basic search functions like using a keyword and then narrowing results based on top results or recent results. Read Also: X Vs. Threads Vs. Bluesky: Does Elon Musk’s Social Media Site Still Reign Supreme? Why It's Important: In October, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Threads had around 275 million monthly users, averaging around one million signups daily. Bluesky has also seen strong growth in recent months with users looking for alternates to X since the 2024 election. Bluesky had around nine million users in October and has grown to around 24 million users, according to the report. Outside of the new search tools, Threads recently made changes that included users being able to choose their default feed. The focus on new features could show how serious Meta is about growing Threads and/or come as Bluesky is growing in the sector. "Engagement is growing too, so we continue to be on track towards this becoming our next major social app," Zuckerberg said in October of Threads. At the time, Meta Chief Financial Officer Susan Li also said there were plans to bring more features to Threads given the growth potential. “We’re very focused on continuing to build out the sort of functionality of Threads over time and being responsive to what users tell us that they’re interest in," Li said. META Price Action: Meta Platforms stock hit an all-time high of $614.20 Tuesday before closing up 3.51% to $613.65. The stock is up 77% year-to-date in 2024. Read Next: Fidelity Raises Valuation Of Elon Musk’s X, But It Remains 72% Below Buyout Price Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.High price paid for David Jiricek an acceptable investment for Wild GM Bill Guerin
During the three years of our Independence, the country has made progress in many directions and things have been done which, in the pre-independence days, were outside even the realm of schemes or plans. The expansion of education and medical facilities, building new plants, dams, irrigation canals, and roads, the opening of scientific laboratories and virgin soil brought under cultivation, these are some of the achievements of this period besides radical social legislation by the central and the state governments giving equal rights to all citizens with no distinction between men and women, high and low, rich and poor. The Constitution has further set before the nation an ideal of civil liberty and of equal opportunity to all. The achievement of these objectives is the most difficult task that has ever devolved on any country in the very early stages of its freedom, but we are struggling on in pursuit of a great ideal for which we have lived and fought for so long. Gandhiji, through the Congress organisation under whose auspices we have grown up, set that ideal before us. We are yet very far indeed from realising it; we have made only a humble beginning. We might, as is only natural, make mistakes and have to retrace our steps if the conditions so demand in order to serve better. Even if we fail or falter, the laudable ideal will ever remain before us as a beacon light to lead us to individual, social, political, and may I also add spiritual progress. But Independence has brought in its wake several problems which weigh heavily upon us. These are many, and they deserve our consideration, but in this article I shall deal with only two — food and cloth. Their production, if tackled properly, may well pave the way for further progress. Serious thought has been given to the first, but the latter has not received the same attention. I do not propose to elaborate on the various aspects of the problem of food production, but I would like to emphasise here how we should get on with the actual work to achieve a definite result within a prescribed time. We have got sound schemes and ample funds placed at the disposal of the departments concerned. Top priority has also been given to it. Let me enumerate below some of the essential points in regard to this problem: (i) The productive capacity of the existing land under cultivation to increase; save crops from drought and damage as far as possible. (ii) Culturable and virgin soil to be brought under cultivation. (iii) Government to provide necessary means and resources as an aid to implement the above. (iv) Cultivators to put their best on their own initiative without waiting for government help (v) Agency to supervise and execute the scheme. A complete survey of each and every village should be the first and most essential part of our scheme. All this should be done with military precision. An army of land workers should not remain merely a slogan. Every cultivator should be made to feel that he is a soldier of that army and should report at the village panchayat how he is faring with the work allotted to him. If we are in right earnest and prepared to work hard, we can succeed in reducing our imports of foodgrains considerably. Let us now consider the question of cloth. It may not be considered as important as food; yet it will be unwise to minimise its importance. It is needless to emphasise that if we can manage food and cloth for ourselves, there is bound to be economic stability. Mills must produce the quota allotted to them. If they do not cooperate, they should be dealt with firmly and, if necessary, new legislation enacted to deal with them. Labour will also have to bear its share of responsibility and strikes should be eliminated. Khadi should be given the utmost encouragement and the people encouraged to use it even if it is somewhat costly. Government should also patronise it fully. Khadi has great prospects if it receives due encouragement from the government as well as the people. We have got a large population, of which a big percentage has no work or insufficient work. We can provide them with work in the smaller industries. We should not simply try to copy the West as our conditions are different from them. Either we go in for rapid industrialisation through State or private agency or, if that is not possible, and I fear it is not, we must try to speed up our production through small scale and village industries. If we want to make people work-minded, engender a creative spirit and teach them the dignity of labour, the easiest solution is to go in for small-scale industries. The threat of a world war stares us in the face. It may or may not come but the present tension is bound to have its repercussions. There will be a tendency in various countries to keep in reserve agricultural products and other essential commodities and we might not be able to import in future as easily as we could do before. War, or no war, we must produce enough cereals and enough cloth to feed and clothe our people. Lal Bahadur Shastri is India’s second prime minister
Quanterix Corporation Announcement: If You Have Suffered Losses in Quanterix Corporation (NASDAQ: QTRX), You Are Encouraged to Contact The Rosen Law Firm About Your RightsVienna: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani stressed that just, comprehensive and enduring peace won't be achieved without the enforcement of international legitimacy's resolutions and Arab Peace Initiative; on basis of the two-state solution principle; and the establishment of the independent, Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. This was stated in a message from HH the Amir, on the annual event organized by the United Nations Office in Vienna to mark the "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People". The message was delivered by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Austria and its Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and International Organizations in Vienna, Jassim Yacoub Al Hammadi. In this message, HH the Amir said that solidarity with the Palestinian people this year earns a special significance, especially given the collective punishment and genocidal war those oppressed people are enduring, which spare no civilians, homes, infrastructure, schools, universities, places of worship, or hospitals, and affect thousands of children, women in refugee camps, patients, the wounded, ambulances, doctors, and humanitarian workers, who are all victims of this brutality. HH the Amir further emphasized that the occupying forces have not refrained from obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people and have engaged in their forcible displacement, in an unequivocal contravention of international humanitarian law. Consequently, solidarity with the Palestinian people today stands as, foremost, a resolute rejection of injustice and an unwavering affirmation of their inherent right to a dignified life on their land, as well as their fundamental right to self-determination. HH the Amir highlighted the overwhelming humanitarian consequences of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in widespread destruction of its cities and villages, and has spilled over into the West Bank and to the sister country Lebanon, stressing that it is imperative to urgently put an end to the violence and reaching a ceasefire that would halt the bloodshed, the humanitarian catastrophe, and the suffering of the prisoners and detainees. His Highness reiterated the State of Qatar's unwavering commitment to exerting every single possible effort in mediation to facilitate the achievement of an agreement that would accomplish this objective, underlining that the persistent failure of international community and the United Nations in halting the bloodsheds and double standards in enforcing the international law, international humanitarian law and human rights international law when it comes to the Palestinian people, albeit the clear international stances and demands, as well as the UN General Assembly's resolutions and the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s orders, will only lead to further bloodsheds, impunity and diminish the confidence in international laws and system. HH the Amir reiterated his utmost condemnation of the repeated assaults on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, emphasizing that any attempts to compromise the historic and legal status quo of Islamic and Christian sanctities in the occupied East Jerusalem, along with the temporal and spatial division of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the undermining of the freedom of Muslims to pray therein are attempts that are null and void under international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions. The State of Qatar is at the vanguard of countries that scramble to provide economic and humanitarian support for the brotherly Palestinian people, alongside the political and moral support, and has engaged in the humanitarian efforts to deliver urgent aid to the Gaza Strip and evacuated the wounded and their families, in addition to establishing field hospitals, emphasized HH the Amir. In addition, HH the Amir announced that the State of Qatar has increased its contribution this year to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and has pledged USD100 million to support humanitarian efforts for the Palestinian people. HH the Amir expressed his deep appreciation for the United Nations system, led by its Secretary-General, affirming solidarity with the international organization in the face of the relentless campaign targeting it and the legitimacy it represents, condemning attempts to undermine UNRWA. He expressed gratitude for the agency's efforts and the significant sacrifices it has made. His Highness lauded UNRWA's indispensable positive role on behalf of the international community in fulfilling its commitment to the Palestinian refugee issue until a final resolution is achieved, noting that millions rely on its humanitarian, health, food, and educational services, as it constitutes the backbone of international efforts to address the dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. HH the Amir reiterated at the conclusion of his message his gratitude to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (UNSCIIP), as well as the United Nations Division for Palestinian Rights, for their unwavering efforts in mobilizing international support to assist the Palestinian people in obtaining their legitimate rights.
An elderly activist suffered two broken ribs when a businessman eating lunch nearby purportedly got “annoyed” with the noise he was making and allegedly assaulted him. Andrew Hay, 63, founder of financial advice company Apex Advice, was arrested for allegedly assaulting Deno Stock, 73, an animal rights advocate, as the Aucklander protested against the Melbourne Cup outside the downtown Ferry Building. Dramatic video footage captured the moment Hay launched at Stock and other protesters on November 5, showing Stock falling to the ground and bystanders rushing in to calm Hay. Stock told the Herald he was used to people jeering at him as he demonstrates, but said Hay’s “vicious attack” caught him by surprise and he believed the physical altercation was unfair as “we were doing everything legal”.Ottawa addiction recovery organization celebrates 41 years
Australia’s most decorated Olympic medallist Emma McKeon has announced her retirement from swimming. The 30-year-old entered Paris 2024 having already announced it would be her third and last Olympics, but had left the door open to continue competing. However, she has now shut that door, confirming the news in a statement on social media. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today McKeon bows out with six Olympic gold medals among 14 in total, as well as a host of other accolades. “Today I am officially retiring from competitive swimming,” she wrote . “Leading into Paris, I knew it would be my last Olympics, and the months since have given me time to reflect on my journey, and think about what I wanted my future to look like in swimming. “I am proud of myself for giving my swimming career absolutely everything, both physically and mentally. “I wanted to see what I was capable of - and I did. “Swimming has given me so much. From the dream igniting at 5 years old, right through to my third Olympic games - I have so many lessons, experiences, friendships and memories that I am so thankful for. Along with every person who supported me, worked hard with me, and cheered me on. THANKYOU. “Now I am excited to see how I can push myself in other ways, and for all the things that life has in store.” McKeon’s announcement was flooded with messages from superstars from Australia and around the world. “Incredible. What a career👏 proud to have shared a few teams with you. Congrats Emma ❤️ Enjoy whatever is next!” Jess Fox wrote. “So proud of you Em ❤️❤️ you’re a legend in and out of the pool forever xxx,” fellow swimmer Ariarne Titmus said. “Love your work, Emma. Enjoy the next chapter 😍,” Ash Barty added. “What an amazing career! Truely blessed to have the honour to train alongside you,” Emily Seebohm said. “There is no one else like you, incredible athlete and extraordinary woman. An honour to be apart of your career and I am so proud to be your friend. Congratulations, can’t wait to see what you do next! ❤️,” Jenna Strauch added. Born into a swimming family, McKeon always appeared destined for greatness. After narrowly missing out on a spot in the 2012 team, McKeon made her Olympics debut in Rio four years later. She won her first gold as a member of the 4x100m freestyle relay team, while she also picked up two silvers. But that was nothing compared to what she achieved at the next Olympics in Tokyo. She won four gold among seven medals in total — the equal most won by a female athlete in any sport at a single Games. She added another gold to her haul this year in Paris, as well as a silver and bronze to be the most decorated Australian Olympian of all time.
Pure Storage and Kioxia Collaborate to Drive Scalability, Efficiency, and Performance in Hyperscale Data Centers
NoneWofford vs. Gardner-Webb Predictions & Picks: Spread, Total – December 4
The game between the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers got heated today with 1:26 left in the 2nd period. Kirby Dach served a four-minute penalty for a high-stick on Mika Zibanejad, and chaos would ensue as a scrum between Rangers players and Habs players happened. Quick and Mika Zibanejad would both earn roughing calls today, while the Rangers were busy holding a lead in the 2nd. Quick was defending himself and his Rangers teammates in the crease during the onslaught. The matchups included Will Cuylle and Juraj Slafkovsky, Mika Zibanejad and Kirby Dach, and Arber Xhekaj and Brett Berard would get in on the scrum too. The Rangers faithful would reward Jonathan Quick for his troubles in defending the crease. The Rangers would be afforded another shot on the power play, which this afternoon saw the Rangers score on each power-play today. Kaapo Kakko , Artemi Panarin, and Vinnie Troecheck were the goal-scorers today. And last but not least, the best clip of the day as the Madison Square Garden crowd cheers on Jonathan Quick for his penalty. In the Penalty box are Arber Xhekaj, Juraj Slafkovsky , and David Savard got to enjoy it while they were there. Tonight was a special night for not only the Rangers breaking their losing streak but also a milestone for the franchise itself: Say what you will about needless fights, but this scrum was a fit of passion and led to the Rangers finding a way to keep the Canadiens at bay, as they won 4-3. This article first appeared on NY Rangers Insider and was syndicated with permission.Andrew RT Davies' decision to quit as Welsh Conservative leader in the Senedd in the face of a split among Tory politicians triggers a potential leadership contest, with no clear frontrunner to take over. It has been assumed in Welsh political circles for a while that a number of Tory MSs are interested in the leadership. As of late on Tuesday only one candidate had come forward - Darren Millar. In theory the group could coalesce around one candidate, and no contest will happen. Whoever wins will lead their party into crucial Senedd elections in 2026, where polling has recently suggested the party is in fourth place, behind Plaid, Labour and Reform. Davies quit on Tuesday after he narrowly won a vote of no confidence , with nine votes for and seven against. He has ruled himself out of the contest. Conservative chief whip Darren Millar was first out of the blocks on Tuesday afternoon. Promising to unify the Welsh Conservatives, the MS was first elected in 2007. Millar is a strong media performer who has been thought of as a leadership contender in the past, but has never run before. Millar made his name making punchy contributions on the Welsh health service when he was the party's NHS spokesman, particularly on North Wales' Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. He is a trustee of a Christian charity, the Evan Roberts Institute, which has attracted controversy for its association with a pastor called Yang Tuck Yoong, who was criticised for homophobic views . Millar has said he does not endorse those views. Millar is the only individual in this list who supported Andrew RT Davies in the vote of confidence - the rest of those below opposed him on Tuesday. There is a big element of speculation with the other names in this list - including Tory Shadow Transport Minister Natasha Asghar. Based in Newport, Natasha Asghar entered politics after the death of her father , the late MS for South Wales East Mohammad Asghar in 2020, winning election to the Senedd the next year. She was the first woman of colour to be elected to the Welsh Parliament, and made a BBC list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world in 2021. Asghar, who serves the same region, has shown ambition before when she made a bid to stand to be Conservative candidate for London mayor . The former TV presenter hit the headlines before she was elected after a YouTube video emerged showing her pretending to interview leading sportsmen - she said she was practising her editing . One Conservative MS thought to be interested in becoming leader is Tom Giffard. The MS for South Wales West was elected in 2021 after a selection process where he beat the incumbent Suzy Davies for a favourable place on a regional list . Giffard grew up between Swansea and Carmarthenshire, and learned Welsh as a second language. He led the Bridgend Conservative group for four years before joining the Senedd. He is thought to be respected in the wider Westminster Conservative party. Giffard speaks for the party on culture, tourism and sport. In 2023 he gave a speech about darts in the Welsh Parliament generated by the ChatGPT AI system - he said he made the speech to show how advanced the technology had become. At a time some Tory activists want to see the Senedd abolished, Sam Kurtz is solidly from the pro-devolution wing of the Conservative party. Back in 2022 he went against Tory policy and called for a larger Senedd, saying the current set up with 60 members "doesn't feel like it works properly" . Like the outgoing leader Andrew RT Davies his roots are in farming - born and raised on a farm outside Fishguard in north Pembrokeshire. He is currently chair of the Pembrokeshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, and worked as a reporter before becoming a parliamentary aide. He is seen as a potential leadership candidate but it is not clear if he is interested. Sam Rowlands was elected to the Senedd in 2021 to represent the North Wales region in Cardiff Bay. He has had experience as a frontline local politician in the past, having previously led Conwy council. Before that, he worked as a credit risk manager for HSBC bank. Rowlands was born in Bangor and grew up in Penygroes, near Carmarthen, until he moved to Abergele aged nine. He currently holds the high profile shadow health spokesman position and were he to win the leadership his more understated approach would be in marked contrast to Andrew RT Davies. Rowlands had proposed a law to give every state school pupil the chance to go to an outdoor education centre, which ultimately failed to get the Senedd's support. Any runners and riders will need nominations from three other Tories submitted by 17:00 GMT on 5 December. If there are more than two candidates, the group will need to hold secret ballots until it is just two. If there are two candidates, then a ballot of the party membership will take place. The winner will not technically be the leader of the Welsh Conservatives as a whole - unlike Scotland, the leader only leads the group of Tories in the Senedd. They will be the leader of the opposition in the Senedd, however, taking on Eluned Morgan at her weekly first minister's questions. Additional reporting by Adrian Browne
None"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.
Global Military Vehicle Electrification Market Forecast to Reach $12.78 Billion By 2028 With 16.4% Annual Growth
RAINN Named Winner of 2024-2025 Amazon Web Services IMAGINE Grant for NonprofitsFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Republican senators pushed back on Sunday against criticism from Democrats that Tulsi Gabbard , Donald Trump's pick to lead U.S. intelligence services , is “compromised” by her comments supportive of Russia and secret meetings , as a congresswoman, with Syria’s president, a close ally of the Kremlin and Iran. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and veteran of combat missions in Iraq, said she had concerns about Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's choice to be director of national intelligence . “I think she’s compromised," Duckworth said on CNN’s “State of the Union," citing Gabbard's 2017 trip to Syria, where she held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Gabbard was a Democratic House member from Hawaii at the time. “The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with America’s foes. And so my worry is that she couldn’t pass a background check,” Duckworth said. Gabbard, who said last month she is joining the Republican Party, has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades. She was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait and, according to the Hawaii National Guard, received a Combat Medical Badge in 2005 for “participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III." Duckworth's comments drew immediate backlash from Republicans. “For her to say ridiculous and outright dangerous words like that is wrong," Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, said on CNN, challenging Duckworth to retract her words. “That’s the most dangerous thing she could say — is that a United States lieutenant colonel in the United States Army is compromised and is an asset of Russia.” In recent days, other Democrats have accused Gabbard without evidence of being a “Russian asset.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, has claimed, without offering details, that Gabbard is in Russian President Vladimir “Putin’s pocket.” Mullin and others say the criticism from Democrats is rooted in the fact that Gabbard left their party and has become a Trump ally. Democrats say they worry that Gabbard's selection as national intelligence chief endangers ties with allies and gives Russia a win. Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat just elected to the Senate, said he would not describe Gabbard as a Russian asset, but said she had “very questionable judgment.” “The problem is if our foreign allies don’t trust the head of our intelligence agencies, they’ll stop sharing information with us,” Schiff said on NBC's “Meet the Press.” Gabbard in 2022 endorsed one of Russia’s justifications for invading Ukraine : the existence of dozens of U.S.-funded biolabs working on some of the world’s nastiest pathogens. The labs are part of an international effort to control outbreaks and stop bioweapons, but Moscow claimed Ukraine was using them to create deadly bioweapons. Gabbard said she just voiced concerns about protecting the labs. Gabbard also has suggested that Russia had legitimate security concerns in deciding to invade Ukraine, given its desire to join NATO. Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri said he thought it was “totally ridiculous” that Gabbard was being cast as a Russian asset for having different political views. “It’s insulting. It’s a slur, quite frankly. There’s no evidence that she’s a asset of another country,” he said on NBC. Sen. James Lankford, another Oklahoma Republican, acknowledged having “lots of questions” for Gabbard as the Senate considers her nomination to lead the intelligence services. Lankford said on NBC that he wants to ask Gabbard about her meeting with Assad and some of her past comments about Russia. “We want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was. As a member of Congress, we want to get a chance to talk about past comments that she’s made and get them into full context,” Lankford said.
Finalists for South Wales Health and Care Awards' Care Hero Award“We’re all just pieces on the board to be played in the pursuit of power and spice,” says Nez, really putting the themes of Dune: Prophecy in bold font in case they’re unclear. Now that those pieces are in place, the writers of HBO’s new prestige drama are able to define the rules of the game in this second episode, “Two Wolves.” It’s clearly going to be a show about not only how power is gained but how it is maintained, through not just force but mental manipulation. By dispensing with some of the hoity-toity set-up of the premiere, “Two Wolves” moves at a better clip, even if it still struggles a bit with some of the common trappings of modern TV, including some bloated storytelling and, even worse, drab filmmaking. Still, the performers already seem like they’re getting more attuned to the voices of their characters, which is what’s most likely to really hold this show together moving forward. “Two Wolves” opens with the fallout of the deaths that ended the premiere , the young Pruwet Richese and the Emperor’s Truthsayer Kasha. The Sisterhood is discussing the latter, noting that Kasha knew something horrible was coming. She had a vision that came true. When Valya and Tula learn that Pruwet died the same way, they suspect that “The Burning Truth” that Mother Raquella spoke of years ago is coming to fruition. Valya decides to go to Salusa Secundus to learn more and takes Theodosia with her. It’s revealed that the story going around Secundus is that it was the boy’s “thinking machine” that burned him alive, but there’s tension in the air over the obvious lie. Emperor Javicco Corrino goes to Desmond to get to the bottom of what happened, both on Arrakis and to his potential child son-in-law, and discovers that his soldier thought he was operating under the Emperor’s implied demands. “What I did I did for you, and I can do it again,” he says. They send Desmond off to “the suspensor cells,” and Mark Strong sells the wheels turning in Javicco’s mind, wondering if having a human weapon as his closest ally may be better than having a member of the Sisterhood or a politically driven marriage. The character who takes the most interesting journey this week is Sister Lila (Chloe Lea), a young acolyte who is the great-great-granddaughter of Raquella and the daughter of Dorotea, the sister that Valya murdered years earlier. Tula wants to use a technique known as The Agony (sounds fun!) to basically send Lila to the underworld, where she can communicate with lost relatives, and get to the bottom of Raquella’s vision and how it’s playing out today. It’s revealed that Raquella had something called “Tiran-Arafel”: the prophecy of a tyrannical force that would destroy the Sisterhood. Is that force working through Desmond Hart? Maybe Lila can get some answers. After a bit of a diversion to remind viewers that this is on HBO in a sex scene between Constantine and Pruwet’s barely-grieving sister Shannon (Tessa Bonham Jones), Prophecy spins back to the seat of power as Javicco tells the Empress about what’s happening with Desmond. He was swallowed by a sandworm and came out different . She’s the first to verbally express that having an ally who can burn people with his mind might come in handy if there’s a war on the horizon. It’s a thought that Javicco carries into a fight with Duke Ferdinand Richese (Brendan Cowell) about what happens now that the marriage is off. It’s interrupted by Valya—good timing!—who arrives just in time to see Javicco lie about there not being a suspect in the killing. She also informs them about the death of Kasha and insists on interrogating Desmond about both deaths. He admits to killing Pruwet for “justice” and Kasha because she was “unworthy.” It’s not a mystery, although it does feel like Desmond is hiding his true motives. Another theme emerges as it becomes clear that what the Sisterhood is asking of Lila is dangerous. It’s about the “Sisterhood,” not the “Sisters”—or rather, the system, not the individual (and how the former uses the latter to survive). That’s always a key dynamic in any show with this kind of political subtext. The main world-building development this episode comes with the revelation that there is a strong resistance seeking to topple the Corrino regime, and that swordmaster Keiran Atreides is basically a mole, even bringing the rebels hologram maps of the palace. Will he be a liability because he cares about Nez? Probably. That’s made even clearer in a later scene between him and Nez as they spar and flirt under some of the drabbest lighting on TV this year. Turn some lights on! We all know this is an epidemic now on TV, but there’s no reason for a show like this to look washed-out as often as it does. Use color, shadow, light, anything. Nez and Atreides are shot so poorly in this scene that they almost look A.I. Now that my rant is over—sorry—let’s go back to the pair of series-crucial scenes that end the episode. First, Lila goes through The Agony. After some CGI shots of blue stuff overtaking red stuff in her system, she’s in what looks like purgatory, surrounded by whispering sisters with shrouds over their heads. (Again, it’s so drab.) She learns of “a weapon born in war,” which is presumably Desmond, before things go very wrong. Dorotea appears and shows Lila what happened to her—when Talya used her Voice to murder her—before saying, “You stole my future. Now I’m taking your hope.” Lila appears to die, or maybe she’s just stuck in the Upside Down forever. Yikes. Finally, Desmond starts to use his Fire Force on Ferdinand, and Valya learns the true extent of his powers. He wants to wipe out every trace of The Sisterhood. It’s power vs. logic, might vs. faith. She goes to use the Voice on him, and it doesn’t work. “It’s not that no one will hear you,” he says to a shocked Valya. “It’s that they’ll hear you and just won’t care.” Stray observationsNo. 1 South Carolina Upset by No. 5 UCLA; Snaps Gamecocks' 43-Game Winning Streak
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins LLP reminds investors that a class action was filed on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Xerox Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: XRX) securities between January 25, 2024 and October 28, 2024. Xerox and its subsidiaries offer workplace technology that integrates hardware, services, and software for enterprises in the Americas, and internationally. For more information, submit a form , email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003. The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that Xerox Holdings Corporation (XRX) Misled Investors Regarding its Business Prospects According to the complaint, during the class period, defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) after a large workforce reduction, the Company’s salesforce was reorganized with new territory assignments and account coverage; (2) as a result, the Company’s salesforce productivity was disrupted; (3) as a result, the Company had a lower rate of sell-through of older products; (4) the difficulties in flushing out older product would delay the launch of key products; and (5) therefore, Xerox was likely to experience lower sales and revenue. Plaintiff alleges that on October 29, 2024, Xerox revealed “lower-than-expected improvements in sales force productivity” and “delays in the global launch of two new products” had led to “sales underperformance.” The Company disclosed that for third quarter 2024, quarterly revenue was down 7.5% year-over-year to $1.53 billion, net loss fell to -$1.2 billion (down $1.3 billion year-over-year), and equipment sales declined 12.2% year over year to $339 million. In a corresponding earnings call, the Company’s COO revealed the product delay was in fact a “forecasting issue” where the Company “had higher expectations that we were going to flush through the older product” which it needed to “sell through” in order to “make those transitions.” On this news, the Company’s share price fell $1.79, or 17.41%, to close at $8.49 per share on October 29, 2024. What Now: You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Xerox Holdings Corporation. Shareholders who want to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their application to the court by January 21, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here . All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. About Robbins LLP: Some law firms issuing releases about this matter do not actually litigate securities class actions; Robbins LLP does. A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. Since our inception, we have obtained over $1 billion for shareholders. To be notified if a class action against Xerox Holdings Corporation settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/513fb6e4-a34e-4150-8fe5-2c133087d380Republicans rally around Hegseth, Trump's Pentagon pick, as Gaetz withdraws for attorney generalGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs left his team’s game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday because of a concussion. Doubs’ injury came on a third-quarter play in the end zone that resulted in a pass interference penalty against San Francisco’s Renardo Green. Doubs stayed down briefly after the play, then got up slowly before heading to the sideline. He went into the injury tent before walking to the locker room. The Packers then announced Doubs was out for the rest of the game because of a concussion. He had three catches for 54 yards before leaving. San Francisco defensive tackle Jordan Elliott left in the first half of the game to get evaluated for a concussion and was ruled out at halftime. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
None