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Hezbollah leaders also signalled tentative backing for the US-brokered deal, which offers both sides an off-ramp from hostilities that have driven more than 1.2 million Lebanese and 50,000 Israelis from their homes. An intense bombing campaign by Israel has killed more than 3,700 people, many of them civilians, Lebanese officials say. But while the deal, set to take effect early Wednesday, could significantly calm the tensions that have inflamed the region, it does little directly to resolve the much deadlier war that has raged in Gaza since the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people. Hezbollah, which began firing scores of rockets into Israel the following day in support of Hamas, has previously said it would keep fighting until there was a stop to the fighting in Gaza. Here’s what to know about the tentative ceasefire agreement and its potential implications: – The terms of the deal The agreement reportedly calls for a 60-day halt in fighting that would see Israeli troops retreat to their side of the border while requiring Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swathe of southern Lebanon. Us President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that the deal is set to take effect at 4am local time on Wednesday. Under the deal, thousands of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers are to deploy to the region south of the Litani River. An international panel lead by the US would monitor compliance by all sides. Mr Biden said the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, insisted on Tuesday that the military would strike Hezbollah if the UN peacekeeping force, known as Unifil, does not provide “effective enforcement” of the deal. – Lingering uncertainty A Hezbollah leader said the group’s support for the deal hinged on clarity that Israel would not renew its attacks. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Qatari satellite news network Al Jazeera. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said on Tuesday that Israel’s security concerns had been addressed in the deal also brokered by France. – Where the fighting has left both sides After months of cross-border bombings, Israel can claim major victories, including the killing of Hezbollah’s top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, most of his senior commanders and the destruction of extensive militant infrastructure. A complex attack in September involving the explosion of hundreds of walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah was widely attributed to Israel, signalling a remarkable penetration of the militant group. The damage inflicted on Hezbollah has come not only in its ranks, but to the reputation it built by fighting Israel to a stalemate in the 2006 war. Still, its fighters managed to put up heavy resistance on the ground, slowing Israel’s advance while continuing to fire scores of rockets, missiles and drones across the border each day. The ceasefire offers relief to both sides, giving Israel’s overstretched army a break and allowing Hezbollah leaders to tout the group’s effectiveness in holding their ground despite Israel’s massive advantage in weaponry. But the group is likely to face a reckoning, with many Lebanese accusing it of tying their country’s fate to Gaza’s at the service of key ally Iran, inflicting great damage on a Lebanese economy that was already in a grave condition. – No answers for Gaza Until now, Hezbollah has insisted that it would only halt its attacks on Israel when it agreed to stop fighting in Gaza. Some in the region are likely to view a deal between the Lebanon-based group and Israel as a capitulation. In Gaza, where officials say the war has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, Israel’s attacks have inflicted a heavy toll on Hamas, including the killing of the group’s top leaders. But Hamas fighters continue to hold scores of Israeli hostages, giving the militant group a bargaining chip if indirect ceasefire negotiations resume. Hamas is likely to continue to demand a lasting truce and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in any such deal. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas offered a pointed reminder on Tuesday of the intractability of the war, demanding urgent international intervention. “The only way to halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” he said in a speech to the UN read by his ambassador.CPI(M) demands immediate withdrawal of election rule amendment
By Kemberley Washington, CPA, Bankrate.com (TNS) As the end of the year approaches, now’s the time to start preparing for filing your 2024 tax return in 2025. When it comes to tax strategies, generally Dec. 31 is the deadline to make changes that might lower your tax bill. One major exception is the deadline for contributing to a Roth or traditional IRA : You have until April 15, 2025, to make a contribution to a Roth or traditional IRA for tax year 2024. If you qualify for deductible IRA contributions , then a contribution to your traditional IRA can reduce your taxable income for 2024. Here are tips and strategies to prepare now for the 2025 tax-filing deadline. If you had significant changes in your life in 2024 — maybe you got married or divorced, started your own business, or had to claim unemployment benefits — your taxes may be more complicated. As a result, you might need to hire a certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent (EA) or other tax professional to prepare and file your taxes. If you decide to hire someone, it’s best to start planning for that sooner rather than later. Waiting until the calendar flips to April could cost you. The average fee for a professional to prepare and file a simple Form 1040 tax return, with no itemized deductions, is about $220, according to a survey by the National Society of Accountants in 2020-2021, the most recent data available. But that amount rises quickly for more complex returns, and varies depending on where you live. For example, a Form 1040 with itemized deductions costs an average of $432 in states on the Pacific Coast, compared with $285 in New England. No matter where you live, prices usually rise as the tax deadline approaches, so it’s smart to start searching for a tax pro soon. If you’re uncomfortable doing your taxes on your own and can’t afford a CPA, enrolled agent or other tax pro, or to pay for tax software , there are free options to consider. The IRS currently offers three ways to prepare your taxes for free: •With the IRS Free File program, the IRS partners with for-profit tax-software companies that offer free tax-prep software to eligible taxpayers so they can file their federal tax returns for free. Some taxpayers may also qualify for a free state tax filing, depending on the software provider. In January, the IRS will announce the income limit to qualify for the program for the 2025 tax season (for filing 2024 tax returns). For the 2024 tax season (2023 tax returns), taxpayers’ adjusted gross income (AGI) couldn’t exceed $79,000. •The IRS also offers its Direct File program, a free tool that allows you to file your federal income tax return directly with the IRS at no cost. The program supports simple tax returns and is available only in certain states. Check to see if you qualify here. •Another free-filing option is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. IRS-certified volunteers offer free basic tax preparation in person to people who earn less than $67,000 a year, are disabled or whose English is limited. The IRS has an online location tool for hundreds of free tax preparation sites in the U.S. (the locator tool is updated from February through April). Some VITA sites also offer online tax-prep assistance. Now is a good time to create an IRS online account. If you want to see your Form 1040 from last year, or you’re missing a prior year Form W-2 or mortgage interest statement, you can find your documents using this free tax tool. Another benefit of creating an IRS online account is that it allows you to quickly obtain your prior year’s tax information without sitting on the phone for hours with an IRS representative, says Carl Johnson, a certified public accountant in New Orleans. An IRS online account also lets you view your account balance and payment history for each year. You can also create a payment plan to settle your federal income tax debt within minutes. If you’re 73 years old and have enjoyed watching your 401(k) or IRA grow tax-free without touching it, remember that the IRS is going to want its share each year. That means you’ll have to make withdrawals — and pay income tax. If you turned 73 in 2024, plan to take your required minimum distribution (RMD) at the latest by April 1, 2025. Read this IRS bulletin for more information. The amount of your RMDs is based on your age and the year-end values of your retirement accounts. A Roth IRA has two big tax advantages over a traditional IRA : Qualified withdrawals are not considered income for federal (and usually state) tax purposes, and you don’t have to take distributions from a Roth every year once you reach age 73. Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA may save you money in the long run. Just know that when you convert an IRA to a Roth, it’s considered taxable income, which will raise your tax bill for that year. Generally, it’s best to convert to a Roth IRA when you’re in a low-income year. As tax season approaches, many people start receiving phone calls, emails and texts from entities claiming to be the IRS. Be wary, and understand that these are scams. Typically, the IRS will mail you a notice before using any other method of communication to notify you concerning issues with your tax return. The IRS won’t reach out via social media or text messaging. Relatedly, the IRS warns taxpayers to be careful when choosing a tax preparer. Taking time to vet your tax preparer is crucial to protect yourself from tax scams and fraud. Before hiring a tax professional, search that person’s name in the IRS database of federal tax return preparers to avoid dishonest “professionals.” “Taxpayers should check the tax professional’s credentials,” Johnson says. Tax pros without credentials “may take questionable positions without any degree of scrutiny or fear of losing their access to the profession,” Johnson says. Taxpayers who don’t file a tax return and owe a tax bill, or who file but don’t pay their tax bill on time, risk severe penalties. The IRS can even seize assets if necessary. Respond quickly if the IRS has been sending you letters because it found an error on your return or claims you owe back taxes. Typically, the IRS will send you a notice if you have a balance due, changes were made to your tax return, or the agency needs additional information. “If you ignore a collection letter from the IRS, you may face wage garnishments, liens, bank levies, and other adverse action. And in some cases, the amount due may increase for failure to respond,” Johnson says. Keep in mind the IRS does offer installment plans and other payment plans. Make copies of your correspondence and use only the U.S. Postal Service, the postmark from which is your proof of timeliness when responding. But whatever you do, don’t ignore the IRS because this may cause more issues in the future. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Did You Know Manmohan Singh Was Born In Pakistan? From Gah To Delhi, A 92-Year Journey
Polls open in the general election on Friday, but have you decided which party will get your vote? If not, you can read the manifesto of each of the main parties on this page, to see where they stand on the most important issues to you. Advertisement A manifesto is the list of pledges parties make to voters, explaining what they would do if elected. Some of the headline promises made by the main parties include: Fine Gael wants to cut taxes by €7 billion and establish a savings account for every newborn in Ireland, which will have a State contribution of €1,000. Fianna Fáil has pledged to reform health services and cut waiting times for patients, accelerate home building and decriminalise the possession of drugs for personal use. Sinn Féin wants to deliver a mini-budget in its first 100 days of government and “real” cost-of-living measures. The Social Democrats pledge the delivery of 50,000 affordable homes in the lifespan of the next government and the full implementation of the Sláintecare healthcare reforms. Labour has proposed that parents would be able to take a full year of parental leave, as well as introducing pay-related maternity benefit. The Green Party has pledged to spend €10 billion on public transport, impose a tax on business class flights and private jets, and create a State-led childcare system. People Before Profit has called for the foundation of a State construction company to build 30,000 social and 5,000 affordable housing units per year, financed through the Apple back taxes. Independent Ireland wants to a make new independent oversight body – recruited from the private sector – to “tackle Government waste, radically improve efficiency and deliver accountability”. Aontú pledges to tackle waste in public spending and create a new agency for “border control, processing of applications and enforcement”. The full version of each manifesto can be viewed below to compare where the parties stand on the key issues. Fine Gael – "Securing your future" Fianna Fáil – "Moving Forward. Together" Sinn Féin – "The choice for change" Green Party – "Towards 2030. A decade of change" Social Democrats – "For the Future" Labour Party – "Building Better Together" Independent Ireland – "Common Sense Solutions for a Better Ireland" Aontú – "Our Common Sense Manifesto" People Before Profit – "Another Ireland is possible"
Starmer praises Trump as he rejects calls to choose EU over USNew roof completed at East Oxford Community Centre
Canada stocks lower at close of trade; S&P/TSX Composite down 0.22%ANDOVER, Mass. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TransMedics Group, Inc. ("TransMedics") (Nasdaq: TMDX), a medical technology company that is transforming organ transplant therapy for patients with end-stage lung, heart, and liver failure, today announced the appointment of Mr. Gerardo Hernandez as the Company's Chief Financial Officer, effective December 2, 2024 . In this role, Mr. Hernandez joins the TransMedics executive leadership team, succeeding Mr. Stephen Gordon . To enable a smooth transition, Mr. Gordon will remain a non-executive employee of the Company until March 31, 2025 , before serving as a non-employee senior advisor to the Company focusing on national transplant stakeholder engagement until March 31, 2026 . TransMedics also updated its 2024 financial outlook. Dr. Waleed Hassanein , Mr. Gerardo Hernandez and Mr. Stephen Gordon will attend the upcoming Piper Sandler Conference on December 3, 2024 , the TransMedics Investor & Analyst Day on December 10, 2024 , as well as the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in January 2025 . Mr. Hernandez is an accomplished finance leader with over 25 years of experience across the healthcare and consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors. He most recently served as Vice President Finance, Head of Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on RNAi therapeutics. In this role, Mr. Hernandez led a global team as the company scaled rapidly. Prior to his role at Alnylam, Mr. Hernandez spent nearly a decade at Shire, where he rose through the organization, eventually leading corporate FP&A. During his tenure, Shire was acquired by Takeda in a $62 billion transaction, after which he was instrumental in the integration effort. Mr. Hernandez began his career at Unilever where he held several finance roles of increasing responsibility before joining Shire in 2010. Mr. Hernandez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin , La Crosse and an MBA in Strategy and Economics from Fundação Getulio Vargas , Sao Paulo, Brazil . "Stephen has been an exceptional partner to me as a member of the TransMedics leadership team for nearly a decade. During his tenure we transitioned the Company from a clinical stage organization to a high growth, publicly traded commercial business," said Waleed Hassanein , M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. "On behalf of the entire management team and the Board, I want to thank Stephen for his countless contributions to our business that will have lasting benefits for the Company. I am grateful for Stephen's dedication and efforts to advance our corporate strategy while delivering considerable shareholder value, and I look forward to his continued partnership to affect a smooth transition as we start our next chapter at TransMedics." "I am delighted to welcome Gerardo to the TransMedics leadership team as our new Chief Financial Officer," added Dr. Hassanein. "His proven record over two decades of leadership across FP&A functions within high-growth, complex global organizations makes him an ideal addition to our team. I am looking forward to partnering with Gerardo as we continue to deliver significant long-term corporate growth and shareholder value." "I am thrilled to join TransMedics as Chief Financial Officer," said Mr. Hernandez. "I look forward to working with the entire leadership team to expand access to the Company's unparalleled products and services in the organ transplant field while enhancing operational efficiency and delivering lasting value to both our shareholders and the patients we serve." Dr. Hassanein concluded, "As we enter the final weeks of the fourth quarter, we are also updating our financial outlook for the full year 2024. Our updated guidance reflects our continued expectation for considerable year-over-year revenue growth. We look forward to providing additional context at our upcoming Investor & Analyst Day." 2024 Financial Outlook TransMedics now expects revenue for the full year 2024 to be in the range of $428 million to $432 million, which represents 77% to 79% growth compared to the Company's prior year revenue. Piper Sandler 36th Annual Healthcare Conference Members of the TransMedics management team will participate in a fireside chat at the upcoming Piper Sandler 36th Annual Healthcare Conference at the Lotte New York Palace. The fireside chat will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 , at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time . A live and archived webcast of the fireside chat will be available on the "Investors" section of the TransMedics website at https://investors.transmedics.com . The Company's standard investor presentation is also available through this link. TransMedics Investor & Analyst Day Details TransMedics will discuss the transition and updated financial outlook, as well as the Company's growth strategy, clinical pipeline, and operations, in greater detail at its Investor & Analyst Day in New York City on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 , at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time . A live and archived webcast of presentations and Q&A sessions will be available on the "Investors" section of the TransMedics website at https://investors.transmedics.com . Please note management will only take questions from the live audience during the question-and-answer session following formal presentations. About TransMedics Group, Inc. TransMedics is the world's leader in portable extracorporeal warm perfusion and assessment of donor organs for transplantation. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts , the company was founded to address the unmet need for more and better organs for transplantation and has developed technologies to preserve organ quality, assess organ viability prior to transplant, and potentially increase the utilization of donor organs for the treatment of end-stage heart, lung, and liver failure. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to, among other things, a leadership transition and our full-year guidance. For this purpose, all statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "could," "target," "predict," "seek" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Our management cannot predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to differ include: our ability to maintain profitability on a sustained basis; our ability to attract, train and retain key personnel; our existing and any future indebtedness, including our ability to comply with affirmative and negative covenants under our credit agreement to which we will remain subject until maturity; the fluctuation of our financial results from quarter to quarter; our need to raise additional funding and our ability to obtain it on favorable terms, or at all; our ability to use net operating losses and research and development credit carryforwards; our dependence on the success of the Organ Care System or OCS; our ability to expand access to the OCS through our National OCS Program or NOP; our ability to scale our manufacturing and sterilization capabilities to meet increasing demand for our products; the rate and degree of market acceptance of the OCS; our ability to educate patients, surgeons, transplant centers and private and public payors on the benefits offered by the OCS; our ability to improve the OCS platform and develop the next generation of the OCS products; our dependence on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of our revenue; our ability to maintain regulatory approvals or clearances for our OCS products in the United States , the European Union, and other select jurisdictions worldwide; our ability to adequately respond to the Food and Drug Administration or FDA, or other competent authorities, follow-up inquiries in a timely manner; the performance of our third-party suppliers and manufacturers; our use of third parties to transport donor organs and medical personnel for our NOP and our ability to maintain and grow our logistics capabilities to support our NOP and reduce dependence on third party transportation, including by means of attracting, training and retaining pilots, and the acquisition, maintenance or replacement of fixed-wing aircraft for our aviation transportation services or other acquisitions, joint ventures or strategic investments; our ability to maintain Federal Aviation Administration or FAA or other regulatory licenses or approvals for our aircraft transportation services; price increases of the components of our products and maintenance, parts and fuel for our aircraft; the timing or results of post-approval studies and any clinical trials for the OCS; our manufacturing, sales, marketing and clinical support capabilities and strategy; attacks against our information technology infrastructure; the economic, political and other risks associated with our foreign operations; our ability to protect, defend, maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights relating to the OCS and avoid allegations that our products infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of third parties; the pricing of the OCS, as well as the reimbursement coverage for the OCS in the United States and internationally; regulatory developments in the United States, European Union and other jurisdictions; the extent and success of competing products or procedures that are or may become available; our ability to service our 1.50% convertible senior notes, due 2028; the impact of any product recalls or improper use of our products; our estimates regarding revenues, expenses and needs for additional financing; and other factors that may be described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Additional information will be made available in our annual and quarterly reports and other filings that we make with the SEC. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and we are not able to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Investor Contact: Brian Johnston Laine Morgan 332-895-3222 Investors@transmedics.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/transmedics-appoints-gerardo-hernandez-as-chief-financial-officer-and-provides-updated-2024-financial-outlook-302320060.html SOURCE TransMedics Group, Inc.
Iowa's O hopes to stay hot vs. defense-minded NorthwesternSpecial counsel moves to dismiss election interference and classified documents cases against Trump
As 2025 draws near, analysts are becoming increasingly optimistic about Lightchain AI (LCAI), with some predicting a rise to $10 as the token gains traction in the crypto space. Currently priced at just $0.003 during its presale, LCAI combines advanced blockchain tech and AI-driven features, making it a strong player in the market. Unlike speculative tokens like Shiba Inu, LCAI brings real-world value and a clear roadmap for long-term growth. Lightchain AI's Rise in Crypto Market Lightchain AI (LCAI) has attracted attention in the cryptocurrency space as it blends artificial intelligence with blockchain technology, promising to revolutionize the industry. Analysts believe it could follow a similar trajectory as some of the most successful tokens, with projections indicating a potential rise to $10. As the market for AI-integrated tokens expands, Lightchain AI stands out as one of the most innovative projects. Early investors are thrilled by the long-term opportunities LCAI offers. Unlike other speculative tokens, Lightchain AI has built a strong foundation with a clear, exciting roadmap that speaks to both blockchain and AI fans. It’s this mix of smart tech, security, and growth potential that’s making LCAI a project to watch. Groundbreaking Blockchain Meets Artificial Intelligence Lightchain AI is changing the mix of blockchain and smart machines, giving traits that boost both techs. At the heart of its new͏ ideas is a Proof of Intelligence (PoI) way, which encourages nodes to finish key AI jobs like model training, data checking, and improving. Different from old blockchain systems, PoI ties AI’s power right into network safety and work, making it a fast and changing system. Also, Lightchain AI brings in the Smart Brain Virtual Machine (SBVM), which is made for using smart AI methods inside a blockchain setup. The SBVM makes sure that tough AI tasks run smoothly right away, helping makers to develop shared apps with clever AI features. This mix of blockchain and AI puts Lightchain AI as a leader in the shared tech area making real answers for fields all over globe. Comparison to Other Popular Tokens When compared to meme coins like Shiba Inu (SHIB), which gained fame mostly through social media hype, Lightchain AI offers a more solid investment based on real-world utility. While Shiba Inu has captured attention with its wild price fluctuations, it lacks the technological foundation and use cases that Lightchain AI brings to the table. Lightchain’s focus on practical applications, such as the integration of AI into blockchain operations, makes it stand out in the crowded crypto space. While meme tokens tend to rely on community-driven interest, Lightchain’s technology has been developed with a clear vision to solve real problems. As the market increasingly seeks tokens with tangible utility, LCAI is poised to attract not only speculative investors but also those looking for practical, long-term value. This gives it a stronger chance of sustained growth compared to its meme coin counterparts. Real-World Utility Driving Demand Lightchain AI is catching the eye of many because it focuses on real-world applications. Unlike tokens that are mostly about trading and speculation, LCAI was designed with clear uses in mind—from advancing AI research to making financial transactions more secure. This practical approach gives it a solid foundation, making it an exciting option for investors and developers who want to see long-term growth and real impact. Moreover, Lightchain AI ’ s technology ensures that its applications can scale with the growing needs of users. Its AI tools and decentralized network are designed to meet the challenges of today’s fast-paced technological environment, ensuring that its value only increases as demand for AI-driven solutions continues to rise. Strong Roadmap Fuels Investor Confidence Lightchain AI’s roadmap is packed with exciting steps that show its commitment to innovation and growth. Kicking off in November 2024, the Prototype Development phase will focus on building and testing key features like the Proof of Intelligence (PoI) consensus mechanism and the Artificial Intelligence Virtual Machine (AIVM). Plus, they'll be launching a developer portal to bring in early adopters and contributors, making it easy for everyone to get involved from the start. In January 2025, Lightchain AI moves into the Testnet Rollout phase, where the community gets a chance to interact with the project’s core systems. During this phase, AIVM node operators and developers will help run the testnet, validate token staking, and test out AI workloads through the AIVM. In March 2025, Lightchain AI will reach an exciting milestone with its Mainnet Launch. This will bring in a variety of validator and contributor nodes, ensuring the platform is both decentralized and scalable. These steps highlight Lightchain AI's commitment to building a strong, future-proof system and solidify its reputation as an investment opportunity you can trust. Future Growth Potential for Lightchain AI Lightchain AI is positioned for significant growth, making it one of the most promising tokens in the market. Right now, Lightchain AI available at just $0.003 during its presale – a great chance for investors to get in early! With its advanced technology, clear roadmap, and growing interest, LCAI is on track for some exciting growth in the months ahead. With its innovative mechanism and the AI Virtual Machine, Lightchain AI has already set itself apart from other tokens, showing real utility rather than just speculative value. As the token continues to develop, its presale price may be viewed as one of the best opportunities for those seeking to invest in the next big success story in crypto. https://lightchain.ai https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf https://x.com/LightchainAI https://t.me/LightchainProtocol Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.
Malik Nabers says calling the Giants 'soft' was wrong but he doesn't regret speaking out
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors moved Monday to dismiss the criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump that accused him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election and to abandon the classified documents case against him, citing longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. The decision by special counsel Jack Smith, who had fiercely sought to hold Trump criminally accountable for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election, represented the end of the federal effort against the former president following his election victory this month despite the election-related cases and multiple other unrelated criminal charges against him and is headed back to the White House. The decision, revealed in court filings, also amounts to a predictable but nonetheless stunning conclusion to criminal cases that had been seen as the most perilous of the multiple legal threats Trump has faced. It reflects the practical consequences of Trump’s victory, ensuring he enters office free from scrutiny over his hoarding of top secret documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Smith’s team emphasized that the move to abandon the prosecutions, in federal courts in Washington and Florida, was not a reflection of their view on the merits of the cases but rather a reflection of their commitment to longstanding department policy. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the prosecutors wrote in Monday’s court filing in the election interference case. The decision was expected after Smith's team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated, and had vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. But it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of using “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. Associated Press writer Colleen Long contributed to this story.The City of Ottawa's Transit Commission has approved the 2025 draft transit budget and has voted in favour of a smaller, but still significant, fare hike for seniors. The 2025 draft transit budget includes a five per cent overall are increase and an eight per cent hike to the citywide transit levy. Notably, the budget included a planned 120 per cent increase to the monthly pass for seniors, which was met with public backlash. Councillors presented two motions to reduce the fare hike for seniors, one to increase fares by 60 per cent instead of 120 per cent, and another to set the seniors' pass at the same price as the EquiPass, $58.25 per month, effectively an 18 per cent fare increase. The motion by Coun. Tim Tierney to increase the seniors' pass to $78.50 per month from $49 (a 60 per cent increase), as opposed to $108 per month as first included in the draft budget, passed by a vote of 8-1, with Tierney and councillors David Hill, Jeff Leiper, Riley Brockington, Marty Carr, Wilson Lo, Cathy Curry and Glen Gower voting in favour. Coun. Shawn Menard was the lone "no" vote. Tierney's motion also maintains free transit for seniors on Wednesdays and directs staff to encourage low-income seniors to apply for the EquiPass. This would be paid for through an $820,000 reduction to the draft 2025 contribution to the Transit Capital reserve. This means a motion put forward by Coun. Brockington on behalf of Coun. Jessica Bradley to make the price of the seniors' pass the same as the EquiPass was referred to City Council, where councillors could move, debate, and possibly adopt it. Similarly, a motion by Coun. Devine to leave youth discounts in place was also referred to the Dec. 11 council meeting. These two motions will be discussed at council because they involve further increases to the transit levy of 0.11 per cent in Bradley's case and 1.41 per cent in Devine's case. The overall budget roadmap passed by a vote of 6-3, with councillors Hill, Tierney, Leiper, Carr, Curry and Gower voting in favour, and councillors Brockington, Menard and Lo voting against. Dozens of people signed up to speak at the meeting Monday, mostly in opposition to increasing fares for seniors and the U-Pass for post-secondary students. "We are in a delicate situation with OC Transpo. We're trying to recover our ridership since the pandemic, and raising fares just puts an enormous barrier in place," said Alex Cullen, former city councillor and transit commission chair. "The best route to bring riders back? Keep the fares down and improve service. That was my pitch to council today. If you raise the transit levy, you don't lose riders, but you make sure there's a good service and you encourage people to come back on to the system." Several seniors also voiced their concerns, not only about a potential fare hike, but also the possibility of doing away with free transit days for seniors on Wednesdays and Sundays. "For my doctor's appointments, I take those on Wednesdays," said Wendy Laatunen. "Same thing with my banking. I'm still not too good online, so I'll go down on the free days. I'll go down on Wednesdays." Under the 2025 draft budget the price of the U-Pass would also increase by five per cent, double the allowable 2.5 per cent increase the University of Ottawa Student Union (UOSU) says the city had agreed to. A hike of more than 2.5 per cent would have to be approved by the participating universities, and that has some students speaking out. "They are wasting city resources to move a motion to even go officially find an answer [from students]. That takes resources from city council, that takes resources for councillors going out to have official meetings with the student union," said Oscar Lavitt, a student at the University of Ottawa. "We have an answer and the answer is no." A motion by Coun. Menard to direct staff to enter into negotiations and consultations with the four affected post-secondary institutions' administration and students was approved unanimously by Transit Commission. Staff are directed to report back with results by the end of June 2025. Lavitt argues the city should consider other sources of funding that wouldn't force post-secondary students to pay more. "Nobody is really into the idea of paying more tuition because of that. Students are some of the most vulnerable people financially," he said. "There are all sorts of other routes where this money could be found. Look at the people who are going to have their houses by Line 2 or Line 4, their property values is going to go up so why are they not being taxed more?" The transit system is facing a projected $120 million deficit in 2025. In addition to increases to fares and the transit levy, the budget includes $36 million in "expected funding from senior levels of government," which has not been confirmed. OC Transpo focused on improving service: Amilcar Transit Services general manager Renée Amilcar says she is focused on improving transit service, which she called the key to bringing riders back to the flagging system. But OC Transpo is well below its punctuality targets for less frequent bus routes, data presented to the city's Transit Commission show. A presentation Monday showed that an average of one in every four buses that runs at a frequency of every 16 minutes or greater was not on time in the last year. OC Transpo has a target of having 85 per cent of bus trips arriving on time. Frequent routes, which arrive every 15 minutes or less, are more likely to be on time, but the 12-month average from October 2023 to October 2024 was 83 per cent, still below target. In October 2024, one out of every five frequent buses and three out of every 10 less frequent buses was late. The on-time performance for bus routes operating every 16+ minutes has typically been below the 85 per cent target for years. According to public data on OC Transpo's website, the 12-month average was 75.5 per cent in 2020, 76.1 per cent in 2021, and 72 per cent in 2022. When asked whether raising fares would drive people away, Amilcar said reasonable fare increases are not shown to reduce ridership. "We know for fact that increasing fares reasonably will not impact the ridership at all, so that's why we need to continue to focus on service reliability, better service, how we can increase the customer's experience, et cetera," she said. The full city budget will be voted on at the Dec. 11 meeting of city council. Ottawa Top Stories FREEZING RAIN WARNING | 1 to 3 mm of freezing rain possible in Ottawa-Gatineau tonight Transit Commission passes smaller, but still significant, fare hike for seniors Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont. 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Los Angeles judge postpones hearing on release of Menendez brothers A Los Angeles County judge on Monday postponed a hearing over the possible release of Lyle and Erik Menendez after 35 years in prison for the shotgun murder of their parents, saying he wanted to hear from a new district attorney due to take office on Dec. 3. Canadian Army corporal fined for stolen valour at Remembrance Day ceremony A corporal in the Canadian Army has been fined $2,000 and given a severe reprimand for wearing service medals he didn't earn during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Alberta two years ago. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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Calgary Calgary's Green Line discussions focus on alignment Premier Danielle Smith says she is continuing to meet with Mayor Jyoti Gondek about Calgary's Green Line project and her government remains committed to bringing the line all the way to Seton. $3.69M Calgary mansion with basketball court for sale in Aspen Woods If you've ever dreamed of having a home with a basketball court, now's your chance. Alberta seeks to 'de-risk' oil, gas pipeline investments in wake of Trump victory Alberta's government is looking for ways to encourage pipeline companies to boost capacity and increase the province's oil and gas export volumes to the United States. Edmonton 'Be vigilant': 24 arsons in south Edmonton under police investigation The Edmonton Police Service now says it is investigating 24 suspicious fires in south Edmonton. 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Regina commits to clearing all 'high priority roads' of snow by Tuesday morning Following a second significant dump of snow in less than a week, the City of Regina says it plans to have all high priority roadways cleared by 7:00 a.m. Tuesday. Sask. NDP takes aim at premier over Shercom deal Saskatchewan’s NDP opposition is again taking aim at the province for its dealings with a Saskatoon-based tire recycling plant, Shercom. Saskatoon Sask. NDP takes aim at premier over Shercom deal Saskatchewan’s NDP opposition is again taking aim at the province for its dealings with a Saskatoon-based tire recycling plant, Shercom. Saskatoon's second big snowfall in a week won't trigger emergency response: City City crews and contractors are at it again — clearing roadways after another major snowfall. Two dead after crash on Saskatchewan Highway 4 Two people are dead following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 4 Friday evening. Vancouver B.C. opens disaster aid to atmospheric river flood victims Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. Wild weather behind 11-cent surge in Vancouver gas prices, analyst says The intense storms that battered parts of B.C. and the United States last week are partly to blame for a significant surge in Vancouver gas prices, according to a petroleum analyst. Vancouver Island Canadian Army corporal fined for stolen valour at Remembrance Day ceremony A corporal in the Canadian Army has been fined $2,000 and given a severe reprimand for wearing service medals he didn't earn during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Alberta two years ago. Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. Vancouver Whitecaps drop head coach Vanni Sartini Two weeks after the Vancouver Whitecaps’ playoff run ended in the first round, the team has fired head coach Vanni Sartini. Kelowna Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops. Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year. B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail. Stay Connected
Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman Accuses Russian Forces Of Executing 5 POWsIowa's O hopes to stay hot vs. defense-minded Northwestern
Braid: Donald Trump hands Trudeau a crisis he could use to win another electionHARTFORD, Conn. — The UConn women’s basketball team remained ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll for the fifth straight week and continued receiving first-place votes after winning the Baha Mar Women’s Championship. The Huskies earned seven of a possible 32 first-place votes entering Week 5, coming in behind No. 1 UCLA with 25. UConn recorded its second ranked win of the season over No. 18 Ole Miss, 73-60, in the Bahamas on Wednesday, and the team also handled Oregon State 71-52 at the tournament to improve to 6-0. UConn star Paige Bueckers was also named Big East Player of the Week for the second time this season for her performance at the Baha Mar Women’s Championship. The redshirt senior averaged 26 points, five assists, 3.5 rebounds and two steals per game across the Huskies’ pair of wins, shooting 66.7% from the field and 55.6% from 3-point range. She currently has the highest field goal percentage in the country among players averaging 22 points or more. After hosting Holy Cross at Gampel Pavilion on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, SNY), UConn is headed into a gauntlet of ranked opponents beginning with No. 22 Louisville on Saturday in the Women’s Champions Classic at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Huskies then travel to South Bend, Indiana on Dec. 12 to face Notre Dame, which dropped seven places to No. 10 after losses to both TCU and Utah in Week 4. The Irish still have an elite ceiling with a statement win over No. 6 USC on their resume, and No. 9 TCU skyrocketed into the top 10 for the first time in program history with the upset. Duke also made its season debut in the top 10 at No. 8 after beating No. 11 Oklahoma last week. The Huskies will face No. 20 Iowa State at Mohegan Sun Arena in the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase on Dec. 17, and the Cyclones have also looked less than their best over the past two weeks. They entered the season ranked No. 8 but plummeted after a loss to Northern Iowa on Nov. 20, and No. 3 South Carolina routed them 76-36 last Thursday. UConn then concludes its loaded slate on Dec. 21 with a sold-out home showdown against USC, a rematch from last year’s Elite Eight. AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll: Week 5 ©2024 Hartford Courant. Visit at courant.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.