In the busy streets of Metro Manila, Lanie Amburlac, a beneficiary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pag-Abot program, experienced hardship and isolation. Growing up far from her siblings and relatives due to the separation of her parents, Lanie faced challenges early in life. As a person with hearing impairment, her speech and communication were affected, making it even harder for her to connect with other people. In 2023, Lanie was one of the fortunate individuals rescued by the DSWD’s Pag-Abot Program —an initiative that reaches out to children, families, and individuals from street situations and provides them with a package of social protection services corresponding to their needs. Lanie, along with her 4-year old daughter, was found living on the streets of Marikina City. Despite her circumstances, Lanie’s life took a positive turn when she was reached out and brought to the Haven for Women in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The Haven for Women is a 24-hour residential care facility of the DSWD which provides temporary shelter, care, and protection to women aged 18-59, who are victim-survivors of gender-based violence that are in need of protective service, as well as other interventions that will promote healing and recovery. Angelica Ognilla, Lanie’s sister, said they diligently looked for her and for Lanie’s partner during the time that they went missing. “Hinahanap po namin siya kasi nga hindi na siya nagpapakita. Pati po ang kinakasama nya ay hinahanap din ng mister ko kasi yung asawa ko lang ang nakaaalam kung saan siya laging pumupunta,” Angelica narrated during an interview with the DSWD’s award-winning online documentary, Mga Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago or #KPAP. Lanie’s stay at the Haven for Women was meant to be temporary, as the program typically provides shelter for up to six months. However, due to the difficulty in locating her family, she ended up staying at the facility for over a year. “Katulad din po ng ibang residente na nire-refer ng Pag-Abot, syempre iyak nang iyak kasi ayaw nilang mag-stay rito. Sila Lanie po noong una ay madalas nagwawala, galit na galit, may mga concern po with other residents, may mga pagtatalo. Pero, so far, ay naging okay naman po ang sitwasyon ni Lanie lalo na po pag napapaintindi sa kanya na hinahanap natin ang pamilya niya kung saan sya uuwi,” Haven for Women Social Welfare Officer Amza Rose Estigo also told #KPAP in an interview about Lanie. The social welfare officer said they experienced challenges in finding Lanie’s family for the reason that Lanie has difficulty communicating her thoughts. “Since si Lanie po ay hindi nakapagsasalita, hinanap po namin ang kanyang kamag-anak through social media. Naging basehan po natin yung kanyang last name which is yung Amburlac po. Naghanap po tayo sa Facebook, pinakita namin sa kanya, hanggang may isa siyang nakita na ate nya. Pagkakita namin sa kanya, umiyak sya nang umiyak. Naconfirm namin hanggang nag-reach out kami. Ayun nga po, kamag-anak nya at matagal na rin syang hinahanap,” Social Welfare Officer Estigo said. “Nagrequest po agad kami ng Family Capability Assessment (FCA) sa Antipolo City dahil nalaman po namin na taga Antipolo siya. Nagpapasalamat po kami na nagpositive po sya. Ibig sabihin po ay capable yung family na tanggapin sya at yung willingness ng family na i-accommodate sya ay nandoon,” the social welfare officer added. After over a year in the facility, Lanie was finally reunited with her family. Her sister and sister-in-law came to fetch her from the Haven for Women on December 6, just in time for the Christmas season. The DSWD provided financial assistance to help her reintegrate into the community. With an initial Php10,000 financial support from the agency, Lanie and her family were able to start anew. As of December 20, there are 3,880 individuals like Lanie who have been assisted by the Pag-Abot Program, helping them return to their communities and begin the process of rebuilding their lives. The #KPAP bagged the Public Service Campaign – National Level Award in the first-ever ‘Parangal: Gawad ng Kahusayan sa Komunikasyong Pampubliko’ sponsored by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and held this December. The #KPAP is a joint production of the Traditional Media Service (TMS) and the Digital Media Service (DMS) under the Strategic Communications Group. It is hosted by TMS Director Aldrine Fermin.Attorneys want the US Supreme Court to say Mississippi’s felony voting ban is cruel and unusualGrid Dynamics Holdings Set to Join S&P SmallCap 600
Simon Harris says sorry to Cork carer for ‘not giving her the time she deserved’Strange "red orbs" have been spotted flying over the eastern United States, adding to the ongoing mystery surrounding drone sightings. These sightings, particularly over New Jersey, have sparked conspiracy theories and raised questions about their origin. The most recent report came from a traveler heading to New York's JFK Airport, who noticed the red orbs while flying over New Jersey, an area that has already seen a rise in drone activity. The sighting occurred on Friday night, and video footage was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user DJNarkatta. The traveler, who was on a flight from Las Vegas to JFK, described the objects as "two reddish orbs" and expressed excitement about capturing more footage in the coming days. The traveler, who has a keen interest in aviation and flight simulators, added, "I've always looked up in the sky with a keen interest in airplanes, and when things look strange in the sky, I notice." The footage, which showed the two orbs over New Jersey, was quickly picked up by UFO-related accounts on social media, fueling speculation about their origin. This mysterious drone activity is not limited to the United States. Similar reports have emerged from the UK, where residents have also noticed increased drone sightings. The combination of "drone" sightings and unexplained orbs has sparked conspiracy theories, though no direct threat to public safety has been confirmed. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have stated that the drones do not pose a danger to the public. Earlier this month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took action by prohibiting drone flights in 30 locations in New York and 22 locations in New Jersey, particularly in areas with vital infrastructure. Despite these precautions, the sightings have continued, generating a lot of buzz online. In addition to the recent sightings, other mysterious orb-like objects have been captured on camera this month. One such incident occurred on a flight from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Newark Liberty International, further adding to the intrigue. Belleville Mayor Michael Melham recently raised the possibility that these drones could be searching for "radioactive material." His comments came in response to an alert from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding a missing piece of medical equipment that was lost in transit in early December. Melham suggested the drones might be investigating a damaged container that was once used to transport the equipment. However, John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, downplayed the significance of the sightings. He explained that many of the objects reported as drones were likely commercial or hobbyist drones, law enforcement drones, or even manned aircraft and stars. Kirby reassured the public that there was no cause for alarm, despite the ongoing speculation. As investigations continue, authorities are working to determine the true nature of these mysterious sightings, but for now, the red orbs and drone activity remain a source of curiosity and concern for many.
Guwahati: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal today credited the tremendous performance by BJP led NDA in both Maharashtra & Assam as a result of PM Narendra Modi ’s brand of good governance . Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Election Results Jharkhand Election Results Bypoll Election Results Sonowal said, “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the transformative policies have won the hearts of the people across the country. The results of today’s elections in Maharashtra and Assam are a clear reflection of the people’s trust and confidence in the leadership of Modi ji and the NDA government. His people-centric policies have brought about unprecedented change in the lives of all citizens.” Sonowal also expressed gratitude to the people for their overwhelming support in the constituencies of Bihali, Chamguri, Dholai, Bongaigaon, and Sidli, where NDA candidates— Diganta Ghatowal, Diplu Ranjan Sharma, Nihar Ranjan Das, Deeptimoyee Chowdhury, and Nirmal Kumar Brahma — secured victory. The senior BJP leader Sarbananda Sonowal extended his heartfelt congratulations to the winning candidates and thanked the voters for their trust in the BJP. Sonowal emphasized that the newly elected candidates would swiftly continue the development agenda in their respective constituencies and work towards winning the hearts of the people. Sonowal concluded by extending his best wishes to all the elected representatives for their future endeavours. Sonowal acknowledged the contributions of key party leaders and the hard working party cadre who played significant roles in the election campaign for their efforts. 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Sonowal congratulated & wished best to the newly elected MLAs. Senior leader Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Wherever there are lotuses, there is happiness, peace, and prosperity. The past 10 years have been a golden era for our country. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, a new wave of development has begun in India. Under his visionary leadership, India has entered a new era of governance, equality, and harmony, where all citizens have witnessed equal dignity and progress. During the tenure of the BJP-led government, farmers, youth, women, and marginalised communities have all had their hopes and aspirations fulfilled.” Sonowal contrasted this with the Congress party’s 60-year rule, which he claimed had left India weak on the world stage and had failed to uphold democracy, imposing a state of emergency on the people. Sonowal praised Prime Minister Modi for steering the nation toward comprehensive development and the creation of a new era of governance that has ushered in peace and prosperity for the Northeast region. “The BJP government has brought about rapid infrastructural development in the Northeast & Assam, reducing travel time between states and opening up new opportunities for growth. This progress is a direct result of the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his genuine care and affection for the people of the Northeast,” Sonowal said. Sonowal concluded, “The Northeast, once neglected under Congress rule, has now become a pillar of India’s self-reliance and development. Under Modi’s leadership, our goal is to transform India into a self-sufficient and developed nation by 2047. Already, India has become the fifth-largest economy in the world, and in the coming years, we will work together to make India the third-largest economy.” Sarbananda Sonowal reaffirmed that the people’s confidence in the BJP and the NDA remains steadfast, ensuring continued support for Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and the party’s vision for a prosperous India. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Poll Results Highlights 2024 Jharkhand Poll Results Highlights 2024 (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Betty White Forever: New stamp will honor the much-beloved 'Golden Girls' actorReal Life Stories : Reuniting families through DSWD’s Haven for Women, Pag-Abot program
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Travis Hunter's odyssey through the college game took him to Jackson, Miss. and Boulder, Colo. On Saturday, he'll reach what in all likelihood will be the final destination of his "amateur" career — San Antonio, of all places. Hunter and his No. 23 Colorado teammates are set to wage battle with No. 17 BYU at the Alamo Bowl. For the newly minted Heisman winner, that means one last opportunity to leave a mark on the national stage. Hunter has already left a lasting legacy in college football's history, garnering praise for his stamina, swiftness of foot, desire to win, and flair for the dramatic. What better place to showcase those attributes than at the Alamodome, one of college football's more under-appreciated landmarks? Hunter and the Buffaloes will have their hands full trying to blot a Cougars side that fell just short of a spot in the Big 12 Championship game. BYU was better than most in the regular season, tallying a 10-2 record while downing Kansas State and SMU on its way to the top. If not for a pair of pesky end-of-season defeats, perhaps the Cougars would be representing the Big 12 in the College Football Playoff. Still, as long as Deion Sanders' side has Hunter, it has a chance. If there's anyone who can shatter all expectations and will his team to victory, it's Hunter. He's done it with relative consistency ever since arriving in the college game. The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Saturday's match between Colorado and BYU at the Alamo Bowl. Follow below for highlights, analysis, and more as two of the Big 12's best sides duel from San Antonio. STREAM: Watch Colorado vs. BYU live with Fubo (free trial) Colorado vs. BYU score Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final Colorado x x x x x BYU x x x x x Travis Hunter stats today Receptions : Receiving yards : AVG : TDs : Tackles : Passes defended : INTs : NCAAF HQ: Live NCAAF scores | Updated NCAAF standings | Full NCAAF schedule Colorado vs. BYU live updates, results, highlights from 2024 Alamo Bowl (All times ET) Updates will start closer to the game's 7:30 p.m. ET scheduled start time. Colorado vs. BYU start time Date: Saturday, Dec. 28 Time: 7:30 p.m. ET The Buffaloes and Cougars will kick things off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game is being held at the Alamodome in San Antonio. COLLEGE FOOTBALL AWARDS SN 2024 All-America team Player of the Year: Travis Hunter Coach of the Year: Curt Cignetti What channel is Colorado vs. BYU on today? TV channel: ABC Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo Colorado and BYU's matchup is one of eight games slated to take place on Saturday. The joust will be broadcast on ABC. Cord-cutters can find the action on ESPN+ or Fubo . NFL DRAFT NEWS: SN's Latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft NFL Draft Top 100 Big Board Updated NFL Draft order after Week 16
Actor and former Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan has attributed his dismal performance in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections to alleged tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Contesting from Versova on an Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) ticket, Ajaz managed to secure just 155 votes, fewer than the None of the Above (NOTA) option. Reacting to the results on X (formerly Twitter), Ajaz blamed EVMs for his defeat, asserting that even seasoned politicians and prominent party candidates had underperformed. “It’s all a game of EVMs,” he wrote. “Candidates with years of political experience, big party backing, and huge campaigns are either losing or receiving shockingly low votes. I’m a social worker trying to be the voice of the people and will continue to do so.” Ajaz also expressed sympathy for candidates who spent crores on their campaigns but faced humiliating losses. The Aazad Samaj Party, led by MP Chandrashekhar Azad ‘Ravan,’ has a limited presence in Maharashtra, and Ajaz’s results reflect the party’s struggle to gain traction. Known more for controversies and social media activity than politics, Ajaz’s foray into elections has highlighted his limited appeal, with his political future appearing uncertain. Maharashtra Election Results 2024: ‘Bigg Boss’ Fame Ajaz Khan Trolled For Getting Less Votes Than NOTA in Versova Assembly Polls . EVM ka khel hai sab.. Jo saalo se Contest karrahe hai aur Politics mei hai, badi party , bada naam wo candidates haar rahe hain, ya Phir Bahut kam Votes laaye hain. Mai toh Social worker hu jo logo ki awaaz banne koshish karta hu. Aur koshish karta rahunga . Par Mujhe afsos... — Ajaz Khan (@AjazkhanActor) November 23, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)Black Plastic Cooking Utensils Can Expose You to Toxic Chemicals?
The Lotto Max jackpot has climbed to $80 million for just the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75-million pool, but the top prize remained unclaimed as of Saturday, pushing the jackpot higher. The jackpot has only ever hit $80 million once before, breaking a record back in September. Prior to that, the prize sat at $75 million, which was a record itself at the time. The size of the Lotto Max prize cap was increased earlier this year, allowing for jackpots higher than $70 million. The cap currently sits at $80 million. While a higher price may entice more to play, the odds of winning the lottery are still incredibly low. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation puts the odds at about one in 33,294,800 per $5 ticket. While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six out of the seven winning numbers, plus bonus, entitling them to a prize worth more than $320,000. The winning numbers were: 4, 6, 9, 21, 40, 42, 43 and a bonus number of 24.LeBron James is going to have to make room for the NFL. Wednesday’s doubleheader on set records as the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history, with numbers nearly five times more than the . The Baltimore Ravens’ 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans averaged 24.3 million while Kansas City’s 29-10 win at Pittsburgh averaged 24.1 according to early viewer figures released by Nielsen on Thursday. Nielsen also said there were 65 million U.S. viewers who tuned in for at least one minute of one of the two games. The five-game slate averaged about 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN and its platforms, according to the league and Nielsen. “I love the NFL,” James said in his televised postgame interview Wednesday night. “But Christmas is our day.” While the Christmas lineup has its best viewer numbers in five years, the NFL has made Christmas one of its tentpole events during the regular season, joining Kickoff Weekend and Thanksgiving. “The numbers speak for themselves and LeBron can have his own view, and I’m sure more people will look at that because of this,” said Hans Schroeder, the executive vice president of NFL Media. “But, you know, we’re focused on the NFL and we’re thrilled with the results this year with the Christmas on and we’re excited to continue to build that over the next couple of years.” Both NFL games surpassed the previous mark of 23 million for last season’s AFC wild-card game between the Miami Dolphins and Chiefs on Peacock. Viewership for Ravens-Texans peaked with the Beyoncé Bowl. The 20-minute halftime performance averaged over 27 million viewers. The viewer figures include the audience on , mobile viewership on NFL+ and those who tuned in on CBS stations in Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Baltimore and Houston. Global ratings and final U.S. numbers are expected to be available on Tuesday. The NFL’s Christmas numbers decreased from last season, but not at the rate that usually happens when something goes from broadcast to streaming. Last year’s three games averaged 28.68 million viewers. The early afternoon contest between the Las Vegas Raiders and Chiefs led the way, averaging 29.48 million on CBS. Once global and first-party data is released, both Christmas games should surpass 30 million. The lineup saw an 84% rise over 2023. One reason for the increase is that all five games were on ABC, compared to two last year. The Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors — a game pitting Olympic teammates LeBron James and Stephen Curry — averaged 7.76 million viewers and peaked with about 8.32 million viewers toward the end of the contest, the league said. Those numbers represent the most-watched regular season game in five years. The said all five Christmas games on its schedule - San Antonio at New York in Victor Wembanyama’s holiday debut, Minnesota at Dallas, Philadelphia at Boston, Denver at Phoenix and Lakers-Warriors — saw year-over-year viewership increases. Wednesday’s numbers pushed viewership for the season across ESPN platforms to up 4% over last season. The league also saw more than 500 million video views on its social media platforms Wednesday, a new record. For the , those are all good signs amid cries that viewership is hurting. “Ratings are down a bit at beginning of the season. But cable television viewership is down double digits so far this year versus last year,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this month. “You know, we’re almost at the inflection point where people are watching more programing on streaming than they are on traditional television. And it’s a reason why for our new television deals, which we enter into next year, every game is going to be available on a streaming service.” Part of that new package of television deals that the is entering into next season also increases the number of regular season games broadcast on television from 15 to 75. Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC.
By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department’s operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University’s law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump’s statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden’s commutation. “I’m inclined to think it’s still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, ‘don’t worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,’” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Before Biden’s commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. Berman said Trump’s statement, along with some recent actions by states, may present an effort to get the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that considers the death penalty disproportionate punishment for rape. “That would literally take decades to unfold. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” Berman said. Before one of Trump’s rallies on Aug. 20, his prepared remarks released to the media said he would announce he would ask for the death penalty for child rapists and child traffickers. But Trump never delivered the line. One of the men Trump highlighted on Tuesday was ex-Marine Jorge Avila Torrez, who was sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old girl in a suburban Chicago park several years before. The other man, Thomas Steven Sanders, was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and slaying of a 12-year-old girl in Louisiana, days after shooting the girl’s mother in a wildlife park in Arizona. Court records show he admitted to both killings. Some families of victims expressed anger with Biden’s decision, but the president had faced pressure from advocacy groups urging him to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The ACLU and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were some of the groups that applauded the decision. Biden left three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
No. 12 Boise State (9-1, 6-0 Mountain West, No. 12 CFP) at Wyoming (2-8, 2-4,) Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (CBSSN) BetMGM College Football Odds: Boise State by 22 1/2. Series record: Boise State leads 17-1. Boise State enters its final conference game of the season with an eight-game winning streak - its longest single-season winning streak since 2014 - and with its sights set on a potential top-four seed in the College Football Playoff. With Boise State in front of BYU, the Broncos became the provisional No. 4 seed in the playoff with two weeks left in the regular season. Despite being mired in a two-win season, Wyoming would love to play the spoiler role against the Broncos. Wyoming’s rushing defense against Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty. The junior running back comes into this one leading the nation in several categories, including rushing yards (1,893), rushing touchdowns (26), total touchdowns (27) and all-purpose yards (1,991). The Cowboys rank 116th in the nation in allowing 201.2 yards rushing per game. Boise State: WR Cameron Camper continues to play a pivotal role for the Broncos. As Jeanty draws the attention of opposing defensive units, it creates space in the secondary for Camper to operate. The senior leads the Broncos with 665 yards receiving with 40 catches, including four touchdowns. Wyoming: DE DeVonne Harris has proven to be effective for the Cowboys since missing time earlier this season with an injury. Harris registered a season-high six tackles with a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery at Colorado State and has three tackles for loss this season. Harris could be tasked to slow Jeanty in the running lanes while also applying pressure to Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen. Boise State and Wyoming are two of the best teams on third downs on both sides of the ball with the Broncos’ offense checking in third nationally in third-down conversion percentage (52.7%) and Wyoming’s defense ranked fifth in the country in third-down conversion percentage against (.285). ... The Broncos, who own the third-best rushing offense in the country with 258.7 yards rushing per game, have run for 200 or more yards in eight games this season. ... Wyoming linebacker Connor Shay ranks second on the team with 62 tackles this season. His 6.2 tackles per game rank 20th in the conference. .. Wyoming has won 65.9% of its games in War Memorial Stadium, though the Cowboys are just 1-4 in Laramie this season. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football .
What's next for Matt Gaetz: 5 possibilitiesWASHINGTON — State Rep. Brian Harrison, a Republican, said Friday he plans to meet with top University of Texas System officials after they announced a plan to provide free tuition and waived fees to students whose families make $100,000 or less. While many elected officials have praised the initiative , Harrison criticized it as an “abuse of power” that makes Texas higher education “more socialist than California.” Harrison said Friday he’s unswayed by statements from the system and supporters who say the move will be funded from university endowments, not taxpayers. Harrison compared such statements to someone saying they’re removing water from the shallow side of a pool, not the deep end. It’s all the same water. “Money is fungible, so that doesn’t satisfy me in the slightest,” Harrison said. The new initiative is an expansion of the Promise Plus Program, a needs-based financial aid initiative, and comes amid widespread concerns about the effect of inflation and college costs on families. Gov. Greg Abbott recently prohibited Texas colleges and universities from raising tuition for the next two years. UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken hailed the expansion as a “game changer” that will make “enormous, real difference” to improve college access for all Texans. Not everyone is a fan. Harrison and like-minded House colleagues have compared it to President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan that drew intense blowback from conservatives and was largely struck down by the courts . They also said such a consequential change in policy should come from the elected lawmakers serving in the Legislature. “There must be consequences,” Harrison said on X . “UT’s budget must be cut, and bureaucrats should be fired.” He led 10 Republican lawmakers, most of them incoming freshmen, in a letter to the regents demanding answers to a litany of questions, including the price tag of the expansion and the source of that money. “What specific statutory authority did the regents rely on to make a decision this consequential, which will have direct financial consequences for our constituents, many of whom are already struggling to put gas in their tanks and food on their tables?” the lawmakers wrote. UT System spokesman Paul Corliss has said the program is not funded through taxes or any kind of public subsidy. “Rather it is funded through existing UT System endowments,” Corliss said. Rep. Donna Howard, a Democrat, hammered that point in a response to Harrison on social media. “There are no tax dollars involved,” Howard said on X . “Higher Ed institutions are already helping families afford college. This expands philanthropic endowments and helps meet affordability goals of (Abbott and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board).” Harrison and his colleagues will have to contend with many members of the public embracing a plan that already is encouraging young people to adjust their higher education aspirations. Frank Whitefeather, a high school senior, stayed up until 2:30 a.m. Friday working on his college application essay. He was freshly motivated after the announcement that students whose families make less than $100,000 annually will get free tuition and waived fees at the University of Texas, Austin and other schools in the UT System. “I wouldn’t be in debt,” said Whitefeather, 17. “I wouldn’t have to have student loans.” Whitefeather, who attends Dallas ISD’s Sunset High School, thinks the UT news also could change many of his peers’ lives. It’s already changing his plans. Whitefeather hopes to study engineering and be his own boss one day. Texas A&M and UT Austin were his top two choices, but the free tuition announcement has pushed UT ahead. Harrison said the university system is being contradictory by simultaneously saying it has enough money to offer tuition-free education, but also that a tuition freeze could leave it cash strapped and require more funding from the Legislature. “I guarantee you they’re going to be requesting more tax money from the Legislature next session,” he said. ©2024 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.No. 11 Tennessee crushes UTEP to enhance CFP chances
Betty White Forever: New stamp will honor the much-beloved 'Golden Girls' actorPlayers have mixed feelings about being on the road on Christmas as NFL adds more holiday gamesOuster (NYSE:OUST) Trading Down 2.8% – Here’s What Happened
Bengaluru is becoming popular these days for all the wrong reasons. Be it traffic, road rage incidents, scuffles with auto drivers or getting in a verbal fight with food delivery agents, Bengaluru is all over internet. In addition to these, now a story has pooped in where a man, who claimed to have worked as an engineer in a tech firm, was found begging on the streets. According to a recent incident, the man's story was shared on Instagram by a user @sharath_yuvaraja_official a week ago through three videos. In the first video, the man could be seen dressed in a red t-shirt and appeared dishevelled. He claimed he worked for a tech firm in Global Village Tech Park, now known as Sattva Global City, near Mysuru Road as an engineer. His videos are going viral on social media. The man stated he began drinking after he lost his parents and now begs for his living. He was found begging on the JSS Road in Jayanagar 8th Block and was also spotted in 4th Block in a drunken state. In the second video, he rambles about meditation, Albert Einstein's work, David Hume's books, and more. In the third video, he claims to have visited Frankfurt in 2013 and returned to Bengaluru . "Actually, religion, caste, all those things... See what did (have) I become, finally. I need to read more, I need to read more," Deccan Herald quoted him as saying in the video. Following his videos were uploaded, netizens were quick to comment on it. Here are a few reactions: One wrote, "Thats so very sad." Another wrote, "Where is he now" A third commented, “This is really sad 😢 he needs help he needs to overcome his loss” "Why don't try taking to nimhans. It's clear something is wrong. He needs help to push him selves out of the condition. Once he overcomes the undying problem he might be able to take care of self. When sensitive ppl go through many losses etc I believe they lose their interest in materialism. Maybe he is in such a stage," commented the fourth. "This is a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life. It’s crucial to support mental health and provide opportunities for skill development and rehabilitation. No one should have to face such circumstances, especially in a city known for its thriving tech ecosystem," commented a fifth user.
Unwanted gift card in your stocking? Don't let it go to wasteSM Supermalls champions Filipino MSMEs in 2024 In 2024, SM Supermalls celebrated a significant year of supporting Filipino Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through trade fairs and strategic partnerships, driving local entrepreneurship and economic growth. With over 80 malls nationwide, SM Supermalls has become a key platform for showcasing Filipino creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. A marketplace for growth SM’s trade fairs have offered MSMEs access to large markets, affordable spaces, and high foot traffic, boosting brand visibility and providing valuable networking opportunities with customers, suppliers, and investors. Featured products ranged from artisanal crafts and sustainable fashion to gourmet food, celebrating the best of Filipino talent through events like the Bahandi Eastern Visayas Trade Fair and the National Arts and Crafts Fair. A win-win for shoppers For customers, SM Supermalls’ trade fairs offered more than just shopping—they delivered dynamic experiences. Visitors enjoyed live demonstrations, interactive activities, and exclusive promos while discovering unique, high-quality local products. These events created a sense of purpose among shoppers, who relished the opportunity to support Filipino entrepreneurs. SM for MSMEs: Going digital In line with its commitment to innovation, SM Supermalls recently launched the SM for MSMEs Website, a digital platform designed to streamline the application and approval processes for MSME exhibit opportunities. Entrepreneurs can now submit applications, track status updates, and access key resources online—making it easier to connect with SM Supermalls’ ecosystem. This initiative empowers MSMEs with greater efficiency, aligning with SM’s vision of driving growth through technology. Apply now: https://www.smsupermalls.com/sm-for-msmes/ Nation-building through partnerships Collaborating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other organizations, SM Supermalls amplified its efforts to promote Filipino MSMEs through high-impact national trade fairs like the Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair and the Beauty Fair. These initiatives boosted local economies, generating significant sales for participating businesses while preserving Filipino heritage. Looking ahead: What’s next in 2025? In 2025, SM Supermalls will expand its MSME initiatives, focusing on regional specialties, sustainability, and specialized themes like health, crafts, and technology. New workshops and training programs will further support aspiring entrepreneurs, while the SM for MSMEs website continues to streamline business connections. For more on upcoming MSME programs, visit SM Supermalls’ website or follow us on social media. Together, let’s empower local enterprises to succeed!Sir Keir Starmer has been warned his ratings have suffered a “catastrophic” angered by his “family farm tax”. Just one in five voters believes Labour cares about people who live and work in the countryside, polling for The Telegraph has found. A survey of more than 2,000 adults conducted by Public First, the political consultancy, found only 22 per cent . Even among those who voted for Labour at the most recent general election, this only rose to two in five (40 per cent). “Labour’s ratings with all voters are very poor at the moment, but with rural voters they are catastrophic,” said James Frayne, a partner at Public First. Mr Frayne added: “To some extent they might have expected that with countryside voters, having had all the negative coverage. But they might be somewhat surprised by the developing vitriol which now seems to be absolutely commonplace.” It comes after a string of unpopular policy decisions, including changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) , which farmers claim will put many out of business. From April 2026, farms worth more than £1 million will be subject to a 20 per cent levy, half the usual inheritance tax rate. Rural groups have argued that the £1 million threshold will hit the majority of working family farms, asset-rich but cash-poor, instead of targeting . On Saturday, Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trade Union Congress, became the first major union boss to speak out against the policy, saying he was “worried” about the impact changes to APR will have on small farmers. “You wouldn’t want the policy to impact on small family farms, because that was never the intention,” he told The Independent. “The onus will be on the Government to demonstrate that this it will have. I know that for some small employers, national insurance contributions will also be a worry next year, particularly for those companies operating on small profit margins.” Public First also found that voters believed the Green Party cared about the countryside more than Labour. Asked which political parties best understood the lives of those who live and work in the countryside, the most popular answer was the Conservative Party, followed by Reform. The Green Party – which is usually popular in urban, cosmopolitan areas – came third, followed by Labour in fourth place with 19 per cent. Only the Liberal Democrats trailed Labour, with 12 per cent. Separate analysis by the Countryside Alliance found that there are now many of whom were elected with a slim majority. “People put a blind faith in the Labour Party [at the election],” Mr Frayne said. “There are many constituencies Labour had very little history in having representation in the past. “People just thought it can’t be any worse but many have been surprised that actually it is worse. is really quite something.” Public First also carried out a series of in-depth interviews as part of their qualitative research into how rural voters felt about the Government. Speaking to voters in the rural constituency of Banbury, at the edge of the Cotswolds, they found that most felt Labour had had a rocky start in government and that not enough had changed – but many felt it was still too early to draw firm conclusions. Ian Deacon, a former Conservative voter in his sixties, decided to vote Labour at the last election. He said he now felt it was a “wasted vote”. He told researchers: “The Conservatives had to get out because they were lost. But maybe we should have gone down a different route.” He added that if there was an election tomorrow, Mr Deacon, who works in the water sector, went on to say: “I don’t think that they’re really targeting anybody – I don’t think they know who to target. They’ve got into power and I don’t think they really had a plan.” Meanwhile, Ian Haynes, an ex-Conservative who voted for Reform at the last election, said he stood by his decision since the Tories had “lost their way” and “I don’t hear any sensible arguments against what Labour’s doing”. Judy Carter, a teacher who voted for Labour, said: “If you’re trying to make a more equitable society, we’ve all got to take a share of the cuts, and up to now, the farmers have not taken any cuts. “So I understand they may think it’s unfair, but I believe the numbers of people actually going to be affected by the tax is not that great.” Another ex-Tory voter who voted for Labour in the last election said he thought it was going “terribly” for the Government. He said the Chancellor’s maiden Budget was not a “Budget for growth”, as she had termed it but a “Budget for absolute decline”. He added: “ is crippling. If you put together a small business owner probably has children at private schools. The VAT on top is ludicrous.” A Government spokesman said: “Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast – we have committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years, including more money than ever for sustainable food production, and we are developing a 25-year farming roadmap, focusing on how to make the sector more profitable in the decades to come. “Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will impact around 500 estates a year. “For these estates, inheritance tax will be at half the rate paid by others, with 10 years to pay the liability back, interest-free. This is a fair and balanced approach which fixes the public services we all rely on.”None
NoneIn relief to former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and former Minister T Harish Rao, the Telangana High Court on Tuesday suspended the order issued by the Principal Sessions Judge of Jayashankar Bhupalapally District and the notices issued against them. Justice K. Lakshman termed the lower court’s order as ‘absurd’ and directed the State Government to file its counter, while issuing notices to the complainant, Nagavelli Rajalingamurthy. The two prominent political figures had approached the High Court challenging a revision petition filed by Rajalingamurthy, who accused them of corruption in connection with the (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); collapse of the Medigadda Barrage. The Magistrate’s Court in Jayashankar Bhupalapally had dismissed the complaint earlier this year, ruling that it did not have jurisdiction over the matter, as it was not a Special Court under the Prevention of Corruption Act. However, Rajalingamurthy filed a revision petition before the Principal Sessions Judge, who, despite initial objections over jurisdiction, allowed the petition to proceed. As a result, in August 2024, notices were issued to KCR, Harish Rao, and six others, directing them to respond. The High Court has now suspended the said order and consequent notices, with the next hearing scheduled for January 7, 2025.