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Music is a universal language that transcends boundaries, connects hearts, and evokes emotions. While many of us instinctively turn to music for comfort during life’s trials, music therapy has emerged as a structured practice that harnesses the power of melody and rhythm to heal and rejuvenate. This therapeutic approach goes beyond mere listening; it taps into music’s profound ability to soothe the soul, calm the mind, and even alleviate physical ailments. Music therapy always redefines how we perceive wellness. Music therapy plays a favourite tune to lift your spirits. It is a carefully designed clinical practice where trained therapists use music to address a person’s emotional, cognitive, social, and physical needs. The process can involve singing, playing instruments, composing, or even passive listening, depending on the goals of the therapy. Why is music so effective in therapy? According to neuroscientists, “Music stimulates the brain in unique ways, engaging areas that regulate emotion, memory, and physical coordination. For instance, melodies can trigger the release of dopamine, the brain’s feel-good chemical, fostering happiness and reducing stress. Simultaneously, rhythmic patterns can synchronise brainwaves, promoting relaxation and mental clarity.” Music therapy through the ages The idea that music holds therapeutic potential is not new. Ancient Greek philosophers, including Pythagoras and Plato, believed in its ability to harmonise the soul and body. In traditional Indian and Chinese medicine, specific sounds and rhythms were used to balance energies and promote healing. Modern music therapy, however, gained recognition during the 20th century, particularly after World War II. Musicians began playing for soldiers recovering from physical and emotional wounds, and the remarkable results led to the establishment of music therapy as a formal field of study. Today, it is a growing discipline practised in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres, and community spaces worldwide. At its core, music therapy is deeply personal. It offers a nonverbal medium of expression, making it especially valuable for those who struggle to articulate their emotions. For those battling anxiety, depression, or trauma, music therapy provides a safe space to confront and process their feelings. Imagine a patient dealing with grief. Instead of verbal counselling, a music therapist might encourage them to create a playlist reflecting their emotions or compose a song about their experience. This process allows persons to channel their pain creatively, paving the way for emotional release and acceptance. Studies have shown that listening to calming music can lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. It also enhances serotonin production, which helps stabilise mood. These biological changes, coupled with the emotional resonance of music, create a profound sense of solace. Physical rejuvenation While music therapy is often associated with mental health, its physical benefits are equally noteworthy. Patients recovering from surgeries, injuries, or chronic illnesses often find relief in music therapy sessions. Rhythmic auditory stimulation is used to aid stroke survivors in regaining motor skills. The steady beat of a metronome or a drum can help retrain the brain to coordinate movement, enabling smoother walking or hand motions. Similarly, those with Parkinson’s disease benefit from rhythmic cues that assist in overcoming movement difficulties. Pain management is another area where music therapy shines. By redirecting focus and inducing relaxation, music can lower the perception of pain, reducing the need for medication. Hospitals now frequently incorporate music therapy into palliative care programs, providing patients with a peaceful environment during challenging times. Strengthening connections Music has a remarkable ability to bring people together. In group therapy sessions, shared musical activities foster a sense of belonging and mutual support. For children with autism, music therapy helps improve social skills by encouraging interaction and communication. Cognitively, music therapy can enhance memory and focus. It is widely used with patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, where familiar songs often trigger forgotten memories. Singing along to these tunes not only sparks joy but also provides a bridge to reconnect with loved ones. Tailored for every soul One of the greatest strengths of music therapy is its adaptability. There is no one-size-fits-all approach; each session is customised to meet the client’s unique needs and preferences. For some, classical music’s intricate harmonies may evoke calm and introspection. Others might find solace in folk tunes that resonate with cultural identity. Even upbeat genres like pop or jazz can inspire positivity and motivation, proving that therapeutic music is as diverse as the people it serves. Instruments also play a significant role. A shy child may gain confidence by playing a drum, while an adult grappling with emotional trauma might find catharsis in the resonant chords of a guitar. The therapist’s skill lies in recognising what resonates with each person and guiding them towards healing through these sonic pathways. Beyond therapy rooms Music therapy’s influence extends far beyond clinical settings. Its principles can be integrated into daily life, offering everyone the chance to experience its benefits. Consider incorporating music into your routine as a tool for mindfulness. Create playlists tailored to your mood—lively tracks for motivation, soft instrumentals for relaxation, or nostalgic songs to evoke fond memories. Engaging with music actively, whether through singing or playing an instrument, can further deepen its therapeutic effects. Community programs and online platforms now make music therapy more accessible than ever. Virtual sessions have opened doors for people worldwide, ensuring that this transformative practice reaches those in need, regardless of location. As research into music therapy grows, its applications continue to expand. Therapists are now exploring its potential in fields such as neonatal care, where lullabies soothe premature infants and promote bonding with parents. In education, music therapy supports students with learning disabilities, enhancing focus and comprehension. Advancements in technology have revolutionised music therapy. From apps that generate personalised soundscapes to AI tools that analyse and adapt to a listener’s emotional state, innovation is amplifying music’s therapeutic impact.Danielle Carre and her husband Brad started to think about exit strategies. The couple sat on the verge of retirement, but first needed to figure out the future of their Western Slope solar company, Empowered Energy Solutions. Carre thought back to college, when she read about worker cooperatives in Spain. “In the back of our minds, we always looked toward a way our employees could eventually become owners of the business,” she said. Carre and her husband are part of a wave of Colorado business owners turning to employee-ownership models. As the baby boomer generation ages out of the small business workforce — the so-called “ silver tsunami “ — legions of business owners like Carre must figure out succession plans. But the statistics are daunting: Only 15% of businesses nationwide are passed on to the next generation and only 20% of listed businesses sell, experts estimate. Colorado economic officials hope to convince aging business owners to take another path: Sell the company to your employees. It’s a win-win, they say. Owners get a payout for retirement, while employees get the opportunity to build wealth and shape the future of their company. The state is one of only three in the nation to have a dedicated employee-ownership office within the government, which provides technical support and tax incentives for companies transitioning to worker-owned businesses. Since Gov. Jared Polis stood up the office in 2020, 70 businesses have converted into employee-ownership structures. Colorado is now home to more than 230 employee-owned companies, and increasingly has become a model for other states looking to replicate its success. “Colorado is the leader across the country in the effectiveness of promotion, education and conversion of employee ownership,” said Steve Storkan, executive director for the Employee Ownership Expansion Network, a national nonprofit focused on expanding employee ownership across the United States. “Everyone is trying to replicate the Colorado model as much as they can.” Employee stock ownership plans Employee ownership comes in a few different forms. By far the most popular one is called an employee stock ownership plan, also known as an ESOP. In the simplest terms, ESOPs are retirement plans through which the ownership of a company is held in trust for the benefit of the company’s employees. This structure provides attractive tax benefits in exchange for sharing ownership broadly with employees. Employees accrue shares over time, and are paid out if they leave the company. There were 129 ESOPs headquartered in Colorado as of 2022, the latest available year for federal data. That figure represents a 17% increase from the 110 companies in 2014. In total, there are 6,533 ESOPs in the United States, holding total assets of over $2.1 trillion, according to the National Center for Employee Ownership. Mowa Haile, founder and CEO of Sky Blue Builders, a Denver contractor, converted his company to an ESOP in March. Haile came from a tech background, where stock ownership was much more common. But the practice hasn’t made a huge dent in construction. He felt it was important to give his employees the chance to build their wealth. The stock ownership plan wouldn’t only impact his 53 employees, Haile said, but would also ripple to their families. When Haile told staff late last year that he intended to convert the company to 100% employee-owned, he said they were ecstatic. “By exiting, I still benefit from getting a buyout, but, in this case, I benefited from that and employees benefit in the long term,” he said. Research shows ESOPs outperform standard companies on a variety of metrics. The Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations and the Employee Ownership Foundation found in a 2020 study that ESOPs outperformed other companies in job retention, pay and workplace health safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. ESOPs were three-to-four times more likely to retain staff and less likely by half to make pay cuts. A 2018 study by the National Center for Employee Ownership found ESOP participants have more than twice the average total retirement balance of Americans nationally. Haile, who stayed with Sky Blue Builders after the transition, said his company this year had its best financial return in 15 years. He’s also noticed a major difference in hiring, with the ESOP serving as a juicy incentive to join his firm. “From a hiring perspective, it’s made it a lot easier to recruit employees,” Haile said. Worker cooperatives Worker cooperatives represent another small but growing form of employee ownership in Colorado. In co-ops, workers own the business and adhere to the “one worker, one vote” democratic style of governance. Employees have representation on and vote for a board of directors. The workers share profits based on seniority, hours worked or other company-specific criteria. There are roughly 42 worker-owned cooperatives in Colorado, up from 30 in 2021, according to the Center for Community Wealth Building, a Denver organization that helps companies convert to employee-owned businesses. There are 465 worker cooperatives across the country, employing around 7,000 people and generating more than $550 million in annual revenue, according to the Democracy at Work Institute, which tracks worker co-ops. The Center for Community Wealth Building is one of two Denver organizations helping companies transition to employee-owned businesses, along with the Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center. Sid Farber and two others started Moonshell Pizza Cooperative, a Denver catering business, last year after working in co-op development. “We didn’t believe in the traditional ownership structure where you have to work for someone else and they own the product of your labor,” he said. “We saw that as an inherently unequal structure. We wanted to get away from that and toward something that builds wealth for everyone.” The company now counts four employee-owners. Workers start as regular employees; after six months, they can become provisional members, where they get the rights and responsibilities of being an owner without the same $1,500 buy-in. Member meetings consist of business education, where employee-owners learn about how the company does the books. The kitchen gets hot and employees often encounter 12-hour work days. But it just feels different than other jobs, Farber said. “I wanted to be part of an organization that I actually had a democratic say in,” he said. “It’s probably the best employment experience I’ve ever had.” Employees say the opportunity to become a co-owner was daunting initially, but has been immensely rewarding. Kelly Moss didn’t know much about cooperatives when Carre told her of the owners’ succession plans for Empowered Energy Solutions. But now she has a seat at the decision-making table and a deeper investment in the company’s future. It’s hard to find career growth opportunities on Colorado’s Western Slope, Moss said, so locking in an ownership stake represented a huge win. “It’s exciting to be offered more ownership in something and have your opinion and your voice matter a bit more,” she said. There’s been a huge uptick in interest in employee-ownership models in recent years, said Minsun Ji, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center. “In 2012, no one had any idea why we exist,” she said. “We’re at a very exciting moment right now.” Experts pegged the rise in interest as a confluence of demographical and economic factors. One is the so-called “silver tsunami” of the baby boomer generation aging out of the workforce. Across the United States, an estimated six in 10 business owners plan to retire or sell their businesses within the next 10 years. In Colorado, nearly half of the state’s small business owners are 55 or older, according to state figures. Small businesses, meanwhile, account for about 99.5% of Colorado’s businesses. Then there’s the response to extreme corporate consolidation across myriad industries. “People are trying to respond to those power imbalances, those feelings of domination,” said Paul Bindel, cooperative development director at the Center for Community Wealth Building. “Co-ops are a way to take back some of that autonomy.” Colorado gets involved Polis, in particular, has shown significant interest over the years in employee-ownership models, driving Colorado to be a leader in this space. “It’s true that when employees succeed, businesses succeed, and when businesses succeed, so should employees,” the then-congressman wrote in a 2017 opinion article. “Employee-owned businesses are one way we can ensure more people have a fair shot at the American dream and increase overall productivity.” Soon after moving into the governor’s office in 2019, Polis established the Employee Ownership Commission, which he tasked with educating businesses and communities on the benefits of employee ownership; establishing a network of technical support for interested businesses; and removing barriers to development to advance employee-owned businesses. The following year, the governor created the Colorado Employee Ownership Office. The office provides a network of training, support, education and consulting for businesses considering employee-ownership structures. It also helps connect employee-owned businesses with attorneys and financial and accounting experts, as well as other employee-ownership organizations. “Employee-owned businesses promote a higher quality of life for employee-owners, including higher wages, less turnover, access to better benefits and job security,” the office states on its website. “For the business owner, they get the benefit of a more engaged workforce, a guaranteed succession plan and a way to attract and retain top talent.” The state also offers a selection of tax breaks to incentivize companies interested in converting to employee-owned. Businesses can receive tax credits of up to 50% of their conversion costs, up to $150,000 for ESOPs and $40,000 for worker-owned cooperatives and employee-ownership trusts. These tax credits were funded by a 2021 bill that allotted $50 million to fund professional service costs of conversion to employee ownership. Subsequent legislation has expanded the tax credits and eligibility criteria to help more businesses take advantage of the program. Colorado has seen 70 companies convert to employee-ownership models since 2021, according to state data, a significant uptick from the one-to-three conversions per year before the Employee Ownership Office came online. “We’re seeing big increases” in interest, said Nikki Maloney, director of business support for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. “Colorado is a leader in this space and we hope to continue that way.” Twenty-four states operate some form of an employee-ownership center, though only Massachusetts, Washington and Colorado have permanent offices as part of state government. Other states rely on independent nonprofits or centers within universities to handle the work. Storkan, of the Employee Ownership Expansion Network, said Colorado leads the way due to effective outreach and education, as well as top-down leadership from the governor. “Colorado is definitely heads and tails above everyone else,” he said. To date, Colorado has issued employed ownership tax credits to 11 applicants — including to Haile and Carre’s businesses — with another 12 applications in the program queue, state officials said. Haile said the $150,000 in tax credits he received for converting to an ESOP made a huge difference when considering whether to sell to a private equity firm or another large contractor. Carre received state tax credits for half of the $20,000 in costs needed to convert her business into a worker-owned cooperative. She and her husband plan to stay on with the business for another two years or so to ensure the transition to worker co-op goes smoothly. “Employee ownership is really the wave of the future for businesses,” Carre said.
Colorado leads growing movement toward employee-owned businesses
NEW YORK, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Results from the 2024 Travelers Risk Index highlight a concerning increase in distracted driving, with many risky behaviors surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Recently, Jessica Kearney and Ginny Brzezinski from the Travelers Institute, along with Ryan McMahon from Cambridge Mobile Telematics, partnered with D S Simon Media on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the dangers of distracted driving, tips to navigate the holidays, and the growing use of telematics to offer solutions. Millions of Americans will be hitting the road this holiday season, and with that comes a rise in distracted driving. While traffic fatalities decreased by 4% last year to 44,450, distracted driving remains a growing issue. According to the 2024 Travelers Risk Index, 78% of consumers believe distracted driving is worse now than a few years ago, with many drivers admitting to risky behaviors: close to 60% are reading texts or emails while driving; 26% are updating or checking social media; and 24% are taking photos or videos. Young drivers, particularly Gen Z, are especially at risk. Compared to overall averages, drivers ages 16-20 engage in some hazardous driving behaviors more frequently, like texting/emailing, scrolling and GPS navigation. Additionally, 41% of parents surveyed said they don’t feel like distracted driving is emphasized enough in drivers ed, so they are taking matters into their own hands. Here are some important tips to help prevent distracted driving: Activate the “Do Not Disturb” feature on your phone to block notifications while driving. Before starting your trip, program your GPS and review the route to avoid distractions while on the road. Consider signing up for a telematics program to promote safe driving habits beyond the holiday season. Finally, don't hesitate to speak up if you see a friend or loved one driving distracted—encourage them to focus on the road. If you're on the phone with someone who's driving, ask them to call you back once they've safely reached their destination. Telematics technology is playing a key role in promoting safer driving by collecting data from connected vehicles, IoT devices, and smartphones. It tracks behaviors such as speeding, hard braking, and distraction, and provides users with feedback to help improve their driving habits. By monitoring performance and encouraging safer choices, telematics helps drivers adopt better habits beyond the holiday season. To learn more about the Travelers Institute, visit travelersinstitute.org . To learn more about Cambridge Mobile Telematics, visit cmt.ai . About Jessica Kearney Jessica Kearney is Vice President for Public Policy at the Travelers Institute, the public policy division of Travelers. In this role, she leads corporate thought leadership initiatives on policy issues of interest to the property casualty insurance sector, as well as the financial services industry more broadly. Her portfolio has included work addressing the economy, cybersecurity, small business advocacy, auto safety, autonomous vehicles and disaster preparedness. She also serves as a member of the company’s Autonomous Vehicles and Electric Vehicles Working Groups. Kearney is co-creator, producer and guest host for the Travelers Institute’s webinar series, which seeks to help business and risk professionals navigate today’s biggest challenges in insurance, business and leadership. She leads operations and initiatives for the Travelers Institute, presents at client and industry conferences, and was named to Insurance Business America’s annual Hot 100 list for 2022. About Ginny Brzezinski Ginny Brzezinski is Assistant Vice President for Public Policy Initiatives at the Travelers Institute, the public policy division of Travelers. In this role, she works on corporate thought leadership initiatives on policy issues of interest to the property casualty insurance sector, as well as the financial services industry more broadly. Brzezinski is a producer for the Travelers Institute’s webinar series, which seeks to help business and risk professionals navigate today’s biggest challenges in insurance, business and leadership. Her portfolio also includes work on the Institute’s podcast and social media. Prior to joining Travelers, Brzezinski worked for more than a decade on Capitol Hill, including as Communications Director for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the U.S. Senate Government Affairs Committee and Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Bill Roth. She is the co-author of Comeback Careers, a blueprint for women looking to reinvent, reboot or reimagine careers at 40, 50 and beyond. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Brown University and completed Masters studies in communications at Boston University. About Ryan McMahon Ryan McMahon is the Senior Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development at Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the world’s largest telematics provider. Ryan joined CMT from the insurance industry where he held several leadership roles, introducing new products and insurance services to personal and commercial markets. Ryan is a member of CMT's executive team with responsibilities overseeing corporate development, government, and public affairs. Ryan holds a BA in Psychology from SUNY Potsdam and an MBA from Worcester Polytechnic University. About D S Simon Media: The firm is well known as a leader in the satellite media tour industry and produces tours from its studio and multiple control rooms at its New York headquarters. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, consumer goods, entertainment, retail and non-profits. Established in 1986 the firm has won more than 100 industry awards. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of the Travelers Institute. Dante Muccigrosso Director of Media Integration & Client Reporting E: dantem@dssimon.com C: 973.524.0104 A video accompanying this release is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/96ea9c3b-7434-4a89-83c4-2cdbdf2ccd2bMany households across Ireland are feeling the pinch from the ongoing cost of living crisis and are trying to save money where possible. With energy costs skyrocketing, some people have been air-drying clothes rather than using the tumble dryer. However, Ireland’s unpredictable weather often makes outdoor drying impossible, leaving indoor drying as the only alternative. While this may seem like an easy solution, it comes with a significant downside: the risk of mould. This can not only harm the health of both humans and pets but also lead to costly damage to walls, ceilings and window sills. Experts in air quality have shared some insights on how mould forms and how to combat it. Mould thrives in damp, poorly ventilated environments, where fungal spores can settle and grow. While most adults can tolerate these spores without issue, they can pose serious risks to babies, young children and individuals with respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems. The presence of mould can lead to a variety of health problems, including allergies, skin irritation, chronic colds and worsening conditions like asthma and eczema. To prevent mould from taking hold, it’s essential to reduce the humidity in your home. READ MORE: Ireland weather: Major 'snow storm' threat as maps show mega -9C Arctic blast and timeline issued READ MORE: Experts warn against pouring Baileys down the sink after Christmas celebrations Simple actions like opening windows and doors can help air circulation, while extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens can mitigate steam from showers or cooking. Additionally, using a dehumidifier in moderation can be an effective way to combat excess moisture. Jenny Turner, Property Manager at Insulation Express, warns that drying wet clothes indoors can worsen existing mould problems, Hull Live reports. She advises always keeping a window open in the room to allow moisture to escape. She also recommends using a dehumidifier, which can remove up to 7 litres of moisture from the air each day in damp conditions. While this might seem counterintuitive, investing in a dehumidifier can save money in the long run by preventing costly mould damage. For those looking for a more advanced option, the Pro Breeze 4L dehumidifier comes with an app which allows you to monitor the current moisture level in your home, set a target humidity level, 24 hour on/off timer or select from three operating modes including auto, continuous dehumidification and internal drying. Over 500 of these have been bought on Amazon in the last month and they are rated an impressive 4.4 out of 5 stars from almost 7,000 reviews. For more information or to buy for €277, click here . For a more budget-friendly solution, there are simpler, non-electric dehumidifying options available. Stores like Woodies, Lenehans, SuperValu, Tesco and Dealz offer plastic dehumidifier pots for as little as €1.50. These pots trap moisture in the air and reduce condensation on windows, which is common when drying clothes indoors. Another affordable option is placing bowls of rock salt on window sills, as salt absorbs moisture and helps keep the air dry. Jenny explained: "For a dehumidifying effect without the use of electricity, try a combination of open windows and plastic window dehumidifier pots which can trap and collect moisture in the air. These inexpensive plastic pots can help to eliminate the risk of condensation on windows which can occur from drying wet clothes inside, adding to the damp atmosphere. Another cheap trick to draw moisture away from walls and windows is to place bowls of rock salt on the window sill when drying clothes, as this will help to absorb excess moisture in the air." Meanwhile, Francesca Brady, CEO and co-founder of AirRated, has highlighted the growing issue of mould in homes as part of a larger conversation about the condition of buildings. She said: "It's important that this is covered in the media, everyone needs a basic level of understanding of what sort of environments are unhealthy spaces for us to live and work in. That being said, there is a much larger issue surrounding building stock that is not-fit-for-purpose, where it will take more than changing behaviours to improve these settings." Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
Triumph financial CEO sells $1.44 million in stock
Finalists Announced for 2025 SPIE Startup Challenge, Showcasing Innovative, Investment-ready Optics and Photonics Technologies and ApplicationsRuud van Nistelrooy enjoyed a dream start to his reign as Leicester manager after a 3-1 win over West Ham, whose boss Julen Lopetugui is under increasing pressure. Van Nistelrooy has replaced Steve Cooper at the King Power Stadium and saw Jamie Vardy open the scoring after just 98 seconds. Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka added goals after the break to ensure the Dutchman started with three points in style. Starting with a win! 🤩 Delivered by — Leicester City (@LCFC) His task is to keep the Foxes in the Premier League this season and after ending a five-game winless run they moved up to 15th, four points clear of the relegation zone. West Ham’s hierarchy will have seen what impact a managerial change can have as the jury remains out on Lopetegui, with away fans making their feelings clear by chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. Niclas Fullkrug scored a consolation goal at the death but it counted for nothing and forthcoming games against Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton could determine the Spaniard’s future. When Van Nistelrooy went to bed last night, even he would not have dreamt of his side starting as well as they did as they went ahead with less than two minutes on the clock. One of the Dutchman’s first conversations following his appointment was to take Vardy to task for breaking his record for scoring in the most consecutive Premier League games nine years ago. And the veteran striker rolled back to the years as, living on the shoulder of the West Ham defence, he raced clear from El Khannouss’ through-ball and slotted into the corner. The linesman’s flag immediately went up but a lengthy VAR review ruled Vardy had timed his run perfectly and the goal stood. Vardy could have added a second from a similar move but this time Lukasz Fabianski denied him. The Dutchman quickly learned about the frailties of his side as West Ham created a raft of chances in search of an equaliser. Jarrod Bowen forced Mads Hermansen into a stretching save when he cut in from the right before Ings’ header crashed into the post and Max Kilman slipped at the crucial point from the rebound. Bowen, a constant threat, sent a ball across face of goal which evaded everyone before the England international was denied by a reflex save from the busy Hermansen. The Danish goalkeeper needed to be alert to tip over Mohammed Kudus’ deflected effort early in the second half before he was saved by the referee’s whistle after after his attempted punch went into his own goal, Tomas Soucek the man penalised. Leicester remained a threat on the counter-attack and that is how they doubled their lead just after the hour. Kasey McAteer was set clear down the left and his ball inside was perfect for El Khannouss to find the bottom corner from 15 yards. It was almost three as Fabianski produced an acrobatic save from Wilfred Ndidi’s header before Leicester needed a heroic piece of defending to keep their 2-0 lead intact. Crysencio Summerville bundled the ball goalwards and it was heading over the line until Conor Coady adjusted his feet and poked it clear. The Foxes, who also had a goal from substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid chalked off by VAR, wrapped things up in the 90th minute when Daka broke clear and emphatically converted into the roof of the net. West Ham did get on the scoresheet when Fullkrug headed a corner home, but the game was already done.NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Justin Thomas was long off the tee and made a few long putts on the back nine to overtake Scottie Scheffler with a 6-under 66 and build a one-shot lead Saturday over golf's best player going into the final round of the Hero World Challenge. Thomas is trying out a 46-inch driver — a little more than an inch longer than normal — that he previously used for practice at home to gain speed and length. He blasted a 361-yard drive to 8 feet on the par-4 seventh hole and led the field in driving distance. But it was a few long putts that put him ahead of Scheffler, who had a 69. Thomas was on the verge of falling two shots behind when he made an 18-foot par putt on the par-3 12th hole. On the reachable par-4 14th, he was in a nasty spot in a sandy area and could only splash it out to nearly 50 feet. He made that one for a most unlikely birdie, while behind him Scheffler muffed a chip on the 13th hole and made his lone bogey of a windy day. Scheffler never caught up to him, missing birdie chances on the reachable 14th and the par-5 15th. Thomas hit his approach to 3 feet for birdie on the 16th after a 343-yard drive. Scheffler made an 18-foot birdie putt on the 16th to close within one. Scheffler missed birdie chances on the last two holes from the 10-foot and 15-foot range, while Thomas missed an 8-foot birdie attempt at the last. “I had a stretch at 13, 14, 15 where I felt like I lost a shot or two there, but outside of that I did a lot of really good things today,” Scheffler said. Thomas hasn't won since the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, and a victory at Albany Golf Club wouldn't count as an official win. But the two-time major champion has made steady progress toward getting his game back in order. “I'm driving it great. I've had a lot of confidence with it,” Thomas said of his longer driver. “I feel like I've been able to put myself in some pretty good spots going into the green. I’m still not taking advantage of some of them as much as I would like, but that’s golf and we're always going to say that.” Thomas was at 17-under 199 and will be in the final group Sunday with Scheffler, who is trying to end his spectacular season with a ninth title. Tom Kim put himself in the mix, which he might not have imagined Thursday when he was 3 over through six holes of the holiday tournament. Kim got back in the game with a 65 on Friday, and then followed with 12 birdies for a 62. He had a shot at the course record — Rickie Fowler shot 61 in the final round when he won at Albany in 2017 — until Kim found a bunker and took two shots to reach the green in making a double bogey on the par-3 17th. Even so, he was only two shots behind. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley (68) was four back. “Feel like I’ve been seeing signs of improvement, which is what you want and that’s all I can do,” Thomas said. “I can’t control everybody else or what’s going on, I’ve just got to keep playing as good as I possibly can and hope that it’s enough come Sunday.” AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
CAIRO: Zionist forces stormed into Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya in north Gaza on Friday and expelled some staff and displaced people before withdrawing, and bodies of people killed by airstrikes littered the streets outside, its director said. The attack had begun with a series of airstrikes on the western and northern sides of Kamal Adwan accompanied by intensive shooting, hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya said, speaking via an online chatroom monitored by Reuters. He said troops who swept into the hospital ordered all staff, patients and displaced people into its courtyard before allowing them hours later to return inside, though some staff including its Indonesian emergency surgery team and some displaced were ordered to leave the premises for good. Zionist military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has accused Hamas militants of using civilian buildings including hospitals and schools for operational cover throughout the 14-month Gaza war. Hamas has denied this, accusing Zionists of indiscriminate bombings and assaults. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been caught in renewed Zionist military operations in north Gaza against regrouping militants. “This morning, we were shocked to see hundreds of bodies and wounded individuals in the streets surrounding the hospital,” Abu Safiya said in another statement posted online. “The situation inside the hospital and in its vicinity is catastrophic. There are a large number of (dead) martyrs and wounded individuals, and no surgeons are left,” he said. Reuters could not independently authenticate his account, given a lack of media access to besieged Gaza Strip. Gaza’s Health Ministry said the three main hospitals on the northern end of the enclave are barely functioning and have been under repeated attack since Zionists sent tanks into Beit Lahiya and nearby Beit Hanoun and Jabalia in October. Later on, a Zionist airstrike on a house in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip killed at least 18 people, including three children and two women, and wounded 30 other people, medics said. They added that military strikes across the enclave killed at least 53 Palestinians, most of them in northern Gaza. Distress call In a distress call on Friday, the ministry accused the military of committing a “war crime” in Kamal Adwan Hospital by perpetrating “all forms of killing and violence inside and around it”. It added: “The injured who remained inside are in critical condition and need immediate medical care.” The ministry said only half of the 37 hospitals and clinics in the war-devastated territory remained operational but lacked essential equipment, manpower, and medical and fuel supplies. The World Health Organization said Zionist forces had bombed Kamal Adwan Hospital early on Thursday apparently without warning its staff in advance. “That is extremely concerning and should never happen,” WHO spokesperson Rik Peeperkorn told a Geneva briefing by video link. The hospital is now “minimally functional”, he added. Military says it has killed hundreds of militants in fighting with Hamas in north Gaza since October, a heavily urbanized area it claimed to have subdued early this year. On Friday, it said that over the past week its forces had killed several senior Hamas operatives who were involved in the Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack that precipitated the war, and were commanding militant units in north and central Gaza. Hamas and its smaller ally Islamic Jihad say they have killed many soldiers in those areas in the same period. Residents of Beit Lahiya said the army blew up several houses overnight not far from Kamal Adwan Hospital. Palestinians say Zionists plan to carve out a buffer zone along the northern fringes of Gaza after depopulating the area. Later on Friday, COGAT, the Zionist government body that oversees aid to Gaza, said it had facilitated the delivery of thousands of food packages and sacks of flour into Beit Hanoun, in collaboration with international aid agencies, for distribution to the remaining population. Double standards Meanwhile, a UN official on Saturday said international double standards have encouraged the Zionist authorities to perpetrate genocides in Gaza, calling for continuous efforts to lay bare the occupation violations. Francesca Albanese, the UN rapporteur for human rights in the occupied territories, was speaking in remarks to KUNA after she addressed a session of heads of the diplomatic missions at the UN headquarters in Vienna. The colonialism mentality continues to largely affect the international policies leading to clear discrimination in applying the international law, she said. The Palestinians have the legitimate right to defend themselves against the continuous aggression; it is a right guaranteed by the international Laws that also guarantee peoples’ right in resisting the occupation, said Albanese. She slammed the double rhetoric of western states that claim support for the Palestinians’ rights and the two states solution but neglect crimes perpetrated by the occupation and supplies the occupied with weapons, which is in turn an explicit encouragement for these crimes. Zionist occupation exploits impunity to act like it is above the international laws, she said, alluding to the genocide in Gaza where the Palestinians have been deprived of water, food and health care. Moreover, the civilians there have been directly targeted and 70 percent of the victims are women and children. Talking about political solutions is senseless in the shadow of the continuing occupation and the war on Gaza, Albanese said, stressing that ending the occupation must be the first step on the path for making any real progress. ‘Genocidal’ Zionists A senior Saudi royal termed Zionist entity “genocidal” and an “apartheid” state on Saturday, as he called on incoming US President-elect Donald Trump to bring peace to the Middle East. Prince Turki Al Faisal, who was Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief for more than two decades, also said he hoped Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC). His comments at the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain follow increasingly tough statements from Saudi officials since talks were paused on a potential normalization of ties with Zionists after the start of the Gaza war. “(Zionist entity) today, according to international human rights groups, is not only an apartheid colonial state, but it is also a genocidal one,” Prince Turki said. “It is committing genocide on the people of Gaza.” He added: “It’s about time for the world to... take the necessary steps to bring those who are charged by the International Criminal Court to justice.” The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant last month on suspicion of crimes against humanity and war crimes. Saudi’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also accused Zionists of genocide at a joint Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Riyadh last month.- AFP
Putin toughens punishment for rebellion in Russia and decides to fight extremism from Ukraine
Valladolid loses again and Getafe ends winless run in La LigaWho do you think you are kidding, Mr Littler, if you think your year is done? After Luke Littler’s march into the last 16 at the Paddy Power PDC World Championship, he has one more appointment to fulfil in 2024. A date with burly Geordie dark horse Ryan Joyce on Monday, for a place in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day, is the boy wonder’s reward for a flattering 4-1 defeat of Ian White on another track from his Saturday night fever album. And that will be a wrap. Thank you, 2024, you’ve been a wonderful audience - but just watch Luke the Nuke go in 2025. In the ultimate generation game, Littler exacted token revenge on White for distant fixtures in the Runcorn pub league, when White regularly beat his grandfather. It wasn’t always convincing. In the worst-case scenario, we feared that after Christmas Day and Boxing Day would come doomsday. Lights out, tinsel down, cancel that New Year party. But a reminder: Luke Littler is 17 years old. Give the kid a break. They said he would burn out on the relentless carousel of the Premier League . Pull the other one - he won the darned thing. They said teenage naivety would run aground when it encountered adult cynicism in the big, bad world . Another cracking joke - Littler has won 10 titles in his debut season as a professional, yielding more than £1 million in prize money. They said he couldn’t possibly sustain his fairytale to last year’s final as a 16-year-old. But if the Grand Slam, Premier League and World Series finals don’t ring any bells, there’s nobody home in the belfry. And they said darts wasn’t a ‘proper’ sport. Tell that to the masses who voted Littler runner-up in the BBC ’s Sports Personality of the Year poll. Don’t listen to the pub bores. Darts is the new night out on the red carpet, even if the carpet sticks to your feet, and Littler is our Prince of the Palace. On his return to world championship orbit seven days earlier, he was almost overwhelmed by a nation’s expectations until he found a summary cure for the dreaded first-night rectal twitch and unfurled a record-breaking set to break Ryan Meikle’s resistance. This time, as the largely teutonic soundtrack from a boisterous audience finally turned to seasonal refrains about walking in a Littler wonderland, he was riddled with nerves again. At 54, White’s best days are not necessarily behind him, but most of them are visible only in a rear-view mirror. And the Potteries veteran, whose only quarter-final appearance here was back in 2014, soon made a mockery of the bookies. The Nuke made hard work of taking the opening set with a lukewarm average of 84.53, some 56 points down on his charge for the chequered flag against Meikle. If Littler’s fast starts were a feature of his run to the final 51 weeks ago, this year he has been stalling on the starting grid. Spraying his arrows across the board like a subway graffiti artist on the rampage with his aerosol, he missed four of his first 17 darts at a double and White took advantage to level the contest. Finally, gradually, the tide began to turn in Littler’s favour, and when he took out 88 on the bullseye to go back in front, there was a sense of factory settings being restored. He rammed another 12 maximum 180s into the treble 20 lipstick - that makes 788 for the year - enough to sustain his progress into the last 16. But Littler will have to play with more conviction, and consistency, if he is going to ring in 2025 with £500,000 of pocket money.Trump announces picks for IRS, SEC, NASA and a new ‘hostage affairs’ envoyThe world stands at the dawn of a “third nuclear age” in which Britain is threatened by multiple dilemmas, the head of the armed forces has warned. But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” The first nuclear age was the Cold War, while the second was “governed by disarmament efforts and counter proliferation”, the armed forces chief said. He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”
W e've all been there: you wake up dazed and woozy like you've lost an hour's sleep, but the clock says nothing is wrong. Then you miss a meeting because you forgot to manually adjust your watch. Now Donald Trump's new bureaucratic slasher-in-chief Elon Musk says he wants to put an end to all that by getting rid of daylight savings time (DST) . "Looks like people want to abolish the annoying time changes!" said the prolific US government contractor last week in response to a poll on his social media site, X. Although Musk's tweets are not law, he is the incoming co-leader of Trump's new budgetary advisory panel, and his co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy has backed the idea — as did Trump several years ago. Perhaps more importantly, Musk appears to wield considerable influence over the president-elect as self-proclaimed "first buddy", having reportedly sat in on calls with corporate and foreign leaders. Let’s put aside for a moment the enormous potential conflicts of interest , or even opportunities for corruption , that this relationship entails. Abolishing DST might actually be one of the more popular ideas Musk’s DOGE committee ends up recommending. It would certainly be more popular than cutting social security or “deleting” the USA’s national consumer protection agency . So what would it actually mean, and is it a good idea? Contrary to popular myth, daylight savings time in the United States has never been about farmers. The basic idea of changing the clock depending on the season is about as old as clocks. In most places on earth, the sun rises far earlier in summer than it does in winter; the Romans dealt with that by varying the length of an hour to suit the day. Modern DST was first proposed in New Zealand in 1895, and early versions were adopted by Germany in 1916 and by the USA in 1918. These were emergency measures, implemented during the First World War to save scarce fuel by exploiting summer's early dawn. The USA did the same again in WW2. In peacetime, the rationale for DST has often shifted, but it's usually based on the simple idea that we should set our clocks to give people as much daylight as possible . It wasn't until 1966 that DST was standardized across the country. As usual in America, corporate lobbyists were heavily involved, since some industries – such as retail and fast food – apparently enjoyed better business during the summer shift. Yet a missed meeting is the least of DST's alleged drawbacks. Research suggests that all this springing forward and falling back actually disrupts our circadian rhythms, damaging our sleep quality and potentially our health. Some studies have found that this increases your risk of a heart attack by as much as 10 percent – though other research disagrees. Researchers have also found evidence that traffic accidents, collisions with animals increase sharply after the end of DST, and workplace injuries rise noticeably after DST starts each year. So surely ending DST should be a no-brainer? Or perhaps doing the reverse and making DST permanent, so that we lose some light from our winter mornings but gain some in our summer evenings (which, let's face it, most of us are more equipped to enjoy)? A majority of Americans reportedly support the idea, and the length of DST has slowly crept upward so that it today spans eight months out of twelve. Yet the USA did try to make daylight savings permanent in 1974. Once again, it was designed to save fuel – this time in the face of a worldwide energy crisis driven by oil shortages and soaring prices. It didn't go well. "It's the end. I can't cope any more. The comet, the energy crisis, now darkness. I'm just staying in bed,” one Long Island mother told The New York Time s in 1974 when permanent DST came into effect. The Times itself called the event “a new Dark Age” . Many Americans hated it, with numerous complaints about children being forced to walk to school in the dark. Reports of kids being killed in pre-dawn traffic accidents sparked public and political outrage . This effect would be even worse for states in the middle of the USA, whose winter sunrise wouldn’t be until 9a.m. in some cases. There is also some scientific evidence that simply having more light in the evening and less in the morning – rather than changing the clocks – is itself bad for our health, because it’s not the kind of daily rhythm we were evolved to thrive on. “Americans are split on whether they prefer permanent daylight saving time or permanent standard time. However, my colleagues and I believe that the health-related science for establishing permanent standard time is strong,” wrote neurologist Beth Ann Malow in 2022 . “Based on abundant evidence that daylight saving time is unnatural and unhealthy, I believe we should abolish daylight saving time and adopt permanent standard time.” To be clear, Musk and Ramaswamy didn’t say whether they would be in favour of making DST permanent or simply ending it entirely, so the devil would be in the details. Over the past few decades there have been repeated bipartisan efforts to make DST permanent . All have failed, which indicates the biggest barrier for Musk and Ramaswamy's plan. DOGE doesn’t have any formal power, instead being simply an advisory body that will – in perhaps as long as two years’ time – recommend certain measures to Congress. Although House Republicans are backing this up with a special subcommittee on government waste, chaired by Marjorie Taylor Greene, congressfolk in general are often a recalcitrant lot. So even if this turns out to be a priority for Musk and Ramaswamy, there are multiple hurdles that must be cleared to make it actually happen. In the meantime, their suggestion might best be thought of as an appealing digression from what appears to be DOGE’s main purpose: gutting the US federal government via shock-and-awe mass firings , much as Musk did with the social network formerly known as Twitter .
This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here . 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are French government topples after no confidence vote France's government has been toppled in a vote of no confidence on Wednesday. A total of 331 lawmakers from both the leftwing New Popular Front alliance and the far-right National Rally supported a no-confidence motion in the country's lower house, far exceeding the 288 votes needed to pass the motion. This means Prime Minister Michel Barnier will be forced to tender his resignation. Impeachment motion filed against South Korea's president South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol is reportedly facing an impeachment vote on Dec. 7 after the country's parliament formally introduced a motion to impeach him over his shock announcement — and subsequent reversal — of martial law. The motion needs eight lawmakers from Yoon's party to cross the aisle for achieving the two-thirds supermajority needed for the impeachment. Bitcoin crosses $100,000 The price of bitcoin soared past the $100,000 benchmark for the first time ever on Thursday. The flagship cryptocurrency rose as high as $103,844.05, and was last higher about 4.5% at $103,338.4, according to Coin Metrics. The move came hours after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to nominate Paul Atkins , who's known for his pro-crypto stance, as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. U.S. markets hit fresh records All three major U.S. indexes closed at record highs Wednesday, with tech shares leading the charge following strong reports from Salesforce and Marvell Technology. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.69% and closed above the 45,000 mark for the first time, at 45,014.04. The S&P 500 rose 0.61% and the Nasdaq Composite added 1.3% to end at 6,086.49 and 19,735.12 respectively. Asian markets were mixed , with Hong Kong leading losses and down 1%. [PRO] UBS and others think it's time to short the dollar The U.S. dollar has surged since September, but some financial institutions are suggesting investors should bet against further strength in the greenback. Investment bank UBS, for instance, has warned investors not to chase the dollar's recent gains. Money Report Shell and Equinor to create Britain's largest independent oil and gas company in joint venture British regulators approve $19 billion Vodafone-Three mobile merger It was the summer of 2016. Protests were being held at Ewha Womans University, one of Seoul's most prestigious universities and the country's top women's college, over the school administration's plan to introduce a new degree program. Their protests would set off a series of events leading to the impeachment and removal of then South Korean President Park Geun-hye in March 2017. Eight years later, another South Korean president is on the verge of impeachment. But unlike 2016, the backlash from the South Korean public and lawmakers was swift this time. Articles of impeachment have been introduced by opposition parties against President Yoon Seok Yeol barely 48 hours after his martial law flip-flop and subsequent reversal of martial law. Just hours following the announcement, South Koreans saw scenes of parliamentary staffers attempting to bar armed troops from the country's parliament using fire extinguishers; protesters clashing with police; and even a livestreamed video of opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung climbing over a parliament fence to reach the National Assembly. Given the political chaos, is South Korea still investible? Jonathan Garner, chief Asia and EM equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, told CNBC that even if one keeps aside the turmoil in the government, South Korea's economy is "not that well positioned in a global economic slowdown," and that the semiconductor and auto sectors, which are key industries in the country, are facing a potential downturn worldwide. However, others were more upbeat. "New reports are now suggesting that Yoon will be impeached or resign fairly quickly, which might help investors further draw a line under the affair," said Thomas Mathews, head of markets for Asia Pacific at Capital Economics. Mathews also added that impeachments are not unfamiliar to South Korea – and that equities fared quite well during Park's impeachment in 2016, despite numerous protest rallies in Seoul and other parts of the country. Also on CNBC Impeachments are not new to South Korea — and its markets U.S. stocks start December chilly; Korea stocks tumble on political chaos U.S. stocks began December chilly, but will probably warm up soonCHENNAI : Anna University will be organising a faculty development programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered cyber security in January. According to the sources, the topics which would be covered in the 10-day training programme include Cyber Security, Web Security, Network Security, Block Chain Technologies, Hardware Security, Ethical Hacking, Quantum Cryptography, IoT and attacks, Open Source Intelligence and Privacy Preservation. This training programme will not only be restricted to faculty members of Anna University but also professors and research scholars from the university's affiliated colleges across the State could participate in the programme. In addition, government officials and industry personnel could also participate in the programme, which will be held from January 6 to 10 here. The programme aims to create a well-trained workforce and a resilient national security framework through academic and professional development. The initiative focuses on building capacity in information security to meet the nation's growing demand for skilled professionals and strengthen its defense against cyber threats. During the programme, notable speakers from Anna University, Google, CISCO, Logitech, Deloitte, NIC, Marvel Technology, SSN and VIT will provide in-depth knowledge about cyber security. The training programme especially for government personnel will equip them with the expertise needed to protect critical infrastructure and address emerging security challenges.Winter storm warnings and advisories are in place across multiple states, with widespread high winds and freezing temperatures expected and forecasters predicting up to 40 inches of snow in some areas of Wyoming. Why It Matters Such conditions could create hazardous travel conditions and power outages. The NWS is urging residents to prepare for dangerous conditions, stock up on essentials, and avoid unnecessary travel. What To Know Storm warnings: Utah Heavy snow is forecast, with additional snow accumulations of 8 to 18 inches, locally up to 2 feet in the upper Cottonwoods. A warning is in place until 11 p.m. MST Saturday. Winter driving conditions can be expected on all mountain routes. Traction law restrictions may be enacted. Colorado A first warning forecasts accumulations of up to two inches of snow, with winds gusts of up to 60 mph. A second warning, forecasts total snow accumulations between three and 24 inches, with winds gusting as high as 55 mph at Rabbit Ears Pass, Elkhead and Park Mountains. The first warning is in place until 6 a.m. MST Saturday, with advisories and a second warning, from 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. MST Sunday. Snow and ice-covered roads will make travel hazardous, with the possibility of very difficult or impossible travel. Wyoming Total snow accumulations between 10 and 18 inches, with 15 to 30 inches above 9,000 feet at Wind River Mountains West are forecast. Total snow accumulations between 15 and 30 inches are expected, with 30 to 40 inches possible in the Teton Range. A westerly wind gusting 25 to 35 mph is forecast, resulting in areas of blowing and drifting snow. Additional snow accumulations between 12 and 20 inches late morning Saturday through late morning Sunday are expected, with winds gusting as high as 45 mph in the Sierra Madre Range. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph in the Snowy Range are forecast. Warnings and advisories are in place from 11 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. MST Monday. Idaho Additional snow accumulations of five to 15 inches below pass level, and 15 to 25 inches above pass level, especially in the backcountry of the Big Hole Mountains and Bear River Range, are forecast. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph are expected and periods of blowing and drifting snow are likely, with limited visibility. The warning and advisories are in place until 3 p.m. MST Monday. Additional snow accumulations of four to eight inches in valleys including Stanley and Ketchum are forecast, and 10 to 20 inches from pass level into the backcountry including Galena and Banner Summits. Winds are expected to gust as high as 30 mph. The warning is in place until 5 a.m. MST Monday. Advisories: Oregon Winds gusting as high as 60 mph are expected. Total snow accumulations of 10 to 16 inches are possible, with up to 24 inches above 5500 feet at South Washington Cascades and the Northern and Central Cascades of Oregon . The Winter Weather Advisory is in place until 1 p.m. PST Saturday. Nevada Snow above 6000 feet is forecast, with accumulations of two to five inches with locally higher amounts of up to eight inches on higher mountain peaks. West to southwest winds up to 55 mph are expected, including in areas below 6,000 feet in Lassen, Eastern Plumas and Eastern Sierra Counties. The Greater Lake Tahoe area is set for wind gusts up to 60 mph with ridge winds over 100 mph. Wave heights could reach two to five feet on Lake Tahoe. The advisory runs from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST Sunday. The Rocky Mountain National Park and the Medicine Bow Range, the mountains of Summit County, the Mosquito Range, and the Indian Peaks are set for one inch of snow and gusty winds. Advisories are in place until 11 a.m. MST Sunday. Maine Total ice accumulations of up to two-tenths of an inch are forecast, with the highest ice accumulations in the St. John Valley. An advisory is in place from 11 a.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. EST Monday. Northeast New Jersey and Southeast New York Additional ice accumulations around a light glaze are forecast with an advisory in place until 9 a.m. EST Saturday. Very slippery sidewalks, roads and bridges are possible. Montana Additional snow accumulations up to 4 inches are forecast, with winds gusting as high as 35 mph in Northwest Beaverhead County. An advisory is in place across the state including East Glacier Zone and until 5 p.m. MST Saturday. Pennsylvania Additional ice accumulations in a portion of northeast Pennsylvania are expected and an advisory is in place until 9 a.m. EST Saturday. Massachusetts There will be ice accumulations across the state and ab advisory is in place until 1 p.m. EST Saturday. Alaska Total snow accumulations of up to three inches are forecast, with winds gusting as high as 40 mph. Visibility could be reduced to one half mile at Thompson Pass and Keystone Canyon. An advisory is in place until 6 a.m. AKST Sunday. Washington Advisories are in place across the state, with total snow accumulations between six and 18 inches at West Slopes North Cascades and Passes. There are advisories until 4 p.m. PST Saturday.
Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter Klay Thompson recently caught some heat for snubbing his former teammate, Stephen Curry , from his rightful title as the greatest shooter ever. At the time, Thompson said Reggie Miller was the best, but he has since clarified his stance in response to a fan on social media . Fan: "We love you in the Bay, Steph the greatest shooter of all time, you know that bruh!" Klay Thompson: "My man lemme clarify. I wrote this caption with my childhood in mind. At the time Reggie was the standard for off-guards and ball movement along with shot-making. We all know 30 is the GOAT shooter." Warriors fans felt betrayed when Klay alluded to Reggie as the greatest shooter ever , but Thompson didn't mean it as they thought. Growing up in the 90s, Klay didn't get to watch guys like Stephen Curry or Damian Lillard flash their ridiculous range. Instead, it was people like Reggie Miller , Glen Rice , and Mitch Richmond who dominated from the perimeter. Over his 18 years in the NBA, Reggie Miller set the ultimate standard for three-point shot-making with averages of 18.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game on 47.1% shooting. He made 2,560 threes in his career and shot a respectable 39.5%. In those days, perimeter play wasn't nearly as developed and three-pointers were usually taken in moderation throughout the games. Miller broke all the norms at the time by not only shooting with high volume but also knowing them down consistently enough to be effective on the court. Recently, after passing Miller on the All-Time threes list (Thompson is now 5th all-time with 2,563), he felt compelled to honor the legend in some way, which is why he wrote that caption calling him the greatest shooter. In reality, we all know that title belongs to Curry. As his teammate for 11 years, Thompson knows that more than anyone and he's standing by it today. Besides being first on the NBA's all-time threes list (3,849), Curry boasts an impressive career stat line of 24.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game on 47.2% shooting. As a 10x All-Star, 10x All-NBA player, 4x champion, 2x scoring leader, and 2x MVP, Steph is undoubtedly one of the greatest point guards ever, and his mastery of the three-pointer has changed the game to a massive degree. From 2015-2019, Curry and Thompson dominated the league together as a ridiculous shooting tandem. They formed a dynasty with Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr, who helped lead the team to four championships in eight seasons, including five consecutive Finals appearances. Today, at 36 years old, Curry is still making his mark, even if it's without his longtime Splash Bro. In 24 games this season, No. 30 is averaging 22.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game on 44.4% shooting. He's single-handedly keeping the Warriors afloat, who currently rank 11th in the West at 15-15. Tonight, the Warriors have a matchup against the Phoenix Suns at 8:30 PM EST at Footprint Center. On Monday, December 30th, they play the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chase Center before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at home again on Thursday, January 2nd, at 10:00 PM EST. This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.
Phipps Bend TCAT students put together 550 Christmas meal boxes
Trump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staffBOYS BASKETBALL: Jakob Harken’s 18 points help Perkiomen Valley hold off North PennSyrian rebels ‘encircle’ Damascus