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Sir Keir Starmer “doesn’t have a feel” for the Labour Party or politics in general, has said. In an interview, claimed that the team around the Prime Minister lacks the skills to run the country. She also said that, while she had considered standing down before the election in July, briefings about her by Labour had led her to conclude: “Bugger that”. Ms Abbott in April last year after claiming that Jewish people did not experience racism “all their lives”, remarks she then withdrew and apologised for. She sat as an independent MP for more than a year before Sir Keir restored the whip at the start of the campaign in May, saying she would be free . Speaking to the BBC’s Newsnight Extra, Ms Abbott, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, in London, said: “One of the things people forget or never knew about Keir Starmer is that he was only a member of the Labour Party for a very short time before .” Asked why that was relevant, she replied: “Because he doesn’t have a feel for the Labour Party and politics in general. People will say ‘he smashed all those ’, but that’s the skill set of the people around him. Running the country, not so much.” Questioned on how Sir Keir had fared during his first six months in government, Ms Abbott said: “We’re going to have to see how things work out. What I will say is I never thought I’d say a good word about Tony Blair. But one thing Tony Blair was good at was empathy – and Starmer isn’t so great at empathy. “The people around him think they’re so clever because they won by a landslide. Actually his proportion of the vote, I think it’s 33 per cent. His proportion of the vote , and I think it would be a mistake to think ‘ooh, we won by a landslide, therefore we can get away with anything’. That’s not going to work.” Ms Abbott has been vocal in opposing a number of decisions by the Labour Government to date, including cuts to the winter fuel allowance and . While she insisted it was “still exciting to have a Labour Government”, the 71-year-old – who has represented her constituency for 37 years– had a clear message for Sir Keir. Asked what her hopes were for 2025, she said: “I hope that Syria becomes a stable nation state, and I hope that the Labour Party stops .” Ms Abbott went on to reflect on , after which seven Labour councillors resigned in solidarity over how they believed she had been treated. “It is possible that I might have this summer if they hadn’t gone around boasting about how they were trying to ban me as a candidate, so I thought ‘bugger that’,” she said. Labour remained publicly silent on the internal investigation into Ms Abbott’s remarks about Jewish people. But in May, party sources told The Telegraph they were seeking to reach a “soft landing” with the backbench MP so she could “go with grace” and not stand at the election. Comparing the row to Sir Keir’s removal of Jeremy Corbyn, , from the party, Ms Abbott said: “I was the last one clinging by my fingernails. and the people around him persuaded him that he could get rid of me the same way he got rid of Jeremy. “But it wasn’t quite that easy... He wouldn’t listen, and it didn’t work out well for him.” Ms Abbott revealed that she would occasionally say she was minded to run against Labour “just to wind up Keir Starmer and the rest of them”, but was “never going to leave”. On the question of whether she had “forgiven” Sir Keir, she responded: “I never held it against him. Keir is the way he is.” Labour was contacted for comment.Dec 6 (Reuters) - Australia's agency for monitoring financial crimes said on Friday it had established an internal cryptocurrency task force to identify and take action against crypto ATM providers that do not comply with the country's anti-money laundering laws. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) said its findings showed cryptocurrency was increasingly being exploited for money laundering, scams and money mule activities. AUSTRAC's taskforce will ensure digital currency exchanges that provide crypto ATM services have robust practices in place to minimise the risk of their machines being used to move money associated with scams or fraud, the government agency said. A crypto ATM allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, like bitcoin and dogecoin, for cash. Currently, Australia has 1,200 operating crypto ATMs, while about 400 digital currency exchange providers are registered with AUSTRAC. The total value of the cryptocurrency market has almost doubled over the year so far. Bitcoin also hit a record high above $100,000 as the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president fuelled expectations his administration will usher in a friendly regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies. AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said the agency was seeing "too many" Australians falling victim to scams carried out through cryptocurrency. "Cryptocurrency and crypto ATMs are attractive avenues for criminals looking to launder money, as they are widely accessible and make near-instant and irreversible transfers," he said, adding that crypto ATMS who were found flouting the anti-money laundering laws would be subject to financial penalties. Sign up here. Reporting by Himanshi Akhand in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas and Krishna Chandra Eluri Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

We are a quarter of the way through the 2024-25 NHL season, and some teams across the league have been pretty significant disappointments that have failed to meet expectations. Let's talk about four of them. Nashville Predators The Predators entered the season with sky-high expectations after a busy offseason that saw them add two 40-goal scorers (Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault) and a top-four defenseman (Brady Skjei) to a roster that made the playoffs a year ago. A return to the playoffs should have been the bare-minimum expectation. Winning a round or two should have been reasonable. Competing for the Stanley Cup was not out of the question. Just 22 games into their season, they have the second-worst record in the league (.386 points percentage, just marginally ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks) and can't seem to do anything right. They are 30th in goals per game, 21st in goals against per game and their two biggest additions (Stamkos and Marchessault) have combined for just 11 goals. The worst sign of all is that they are losing despite getting really strong goaltending from Juuse Saros, who is having a big bounce-back year. Pittsburgh Penguins After two straight non-playoff seasons, no postseason series wins since the 2018 season and with an aging core, there should not have been overly high expectations for the Penguins this season. They are still failing to meet them. Not only are the Penguins on their way to a third-straight non-playoff season, they have been one of the worst teams in the league and have the worst record in the NHL's Eastern Conference. Entering play on Tuesday their 91 goals against and 3.96 goals against per game were both the worst in the NHL, while they have developed a crushing habit of consistently blowing multiple-goal leads. They do not defend well, they have some of the league's worst goaltending ( 28th in save percentage ) and outside of captain Sidney Crosby and the occasional brilliance from Evgeni Malkin, there is simply not much here to get excited about. They were not supposed to be good. They were not supposed to be this bad. Boston Bruins The Bruins have been seemingly overdue for a decline at some point, and it finally looks like it is here. At the first quarter point of the season the Bruins find themselves on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, already fired their head coach (Jim Montgomery) and still have a lot of the same flaws that have existed for the past couple of years (specifically the lack of a true No. 1 center). They spent big money in free agency on forward Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov, and both have been underwhelming. Starting goalie Jeremy Swayman has also been off to a slow start after signing a massive eight-year, $66 million contract extension. After being one of the NHL's best teams the past two seasons, this is a sudden regression. Edmonton Oilers The Oilers were one game away from winning the Stanley Cup in 2024, have two of the best players in hockey in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and also have one of the league's best defensive pairings in Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm. The problem? They have almost nothing after those four players. At least nothing that is playing well this season. Only three forwards on the roster (McDavid, Draisaitl and Mattias Janmark) have at least 10 points this season, while their goaltending with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard is only 27th in the league in save percentage . No depth, no goaltending and a team that is reliant on just a handful of players is not going to go far.TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent successful surgery Sunday to have his prostate removed, hospital officials said, a procedure that came as he manages multiple crises including the war in Gaza and his trial for alleged corruption . Netanyahu, who has had a series of health issues in recent years, has gone to great lengths to bolster a public image of himself as a healthy, energetic leader. During his trial this month, he boasted about working 18-hour days, accompanied by a cigar. But as Israel's longest-serving leader, such a grueling workload over a total of 17 years in power could take a toll on his well-being. Netanyahu, 75, is among older world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden, 82 , President-elect Donald Trump, 78 , Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , 79, and Pope Francis , 88, who have come under scrutiny for their age and health issues. Netanyahu's latest condition is common in older men, but the procedure has had some fallout. The judges overseeing his trial accepted a request from his lawyer on Sunday to call off three days of testimony scheduled this week. The lawyer, Amit Hadad, had argued that Netanyahu would be fully sedated for the procedure and hospitalized for “a number of days.” Jerusalem's Hadassah Medical Center announced late Sunday that the procedure had been “completed successfully.” Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, served as acting prime minister during the operation. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. As Israel’s leader, Netanyahu is at the center of major global events that are shifting the Middle East . With the dizzying pace of the past 14 months, being incapacitated for even a few hours can be risky. Netanyahu will be in the hospital at a time when international mediators are pushing Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and as fighting between Israel and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensifies . Prostate issues are common and in many cases easily treatable. Still, the procedure puts a dent in Netanyahu’s image of vigor at a time when he would want to project strength more than ever, both to an Israeli audience navigating constant threats as well as to Israel’s enemies looking to expose its weaknesses. Netanyahu insists he is in excellent health. His office releases footage of him touring war zones in full protective gear flanked by military officers, or meeting with defense officials on windswept hilltops in youthful dark shades and puffer jackets. But that image was shattered last year when Netanyahu’s doctors revealed that he had a heart condition , a problem that he had apparently long known about but concealed from the public. A week after a fainting spell, Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. Only then did staff at the Sheba Medical Center reveal that Netanyahu has for years experienced a condition that can cause irregular heartbeats. The revelation came as Netanyahu was dealing with massive anti-government protests. The news about a chronic heart problem stoked further anger and distrust during extreme political polarization in Israel. Last year, Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital for what doctors said likely was dehydration . He stayed overnight, prompting his weekly Cabinet meeting to be delayed. Earlier this year, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery , during which he was under full anesthesia and unconscious. Levin served as acting prime minister during the operation. According to Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli leader was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection on Wednesday stemming from a benign enlargement of his prostate. The infection was treated successfully with antibiotics, but doctors said the surgery was needed in any case. Complications from prostate enlargement are common in men in their 70s and 80s, Dr. Shay Golan, head of the oncology urology service at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, told Israeli Army Radio. Golan spoke in general terms and was not involved in Netanyahu’s care or treatment. He said an enlarged prostate can block proper emptying of the bladder, leading to a build-up of urine that can lead to an infection or other complications. After medicinal treatment, doctors can recommend a procedure to remove the prostate to prevent future blockages, Golan said. In Netanyahu’s case, because the prostate is not cancerous, Golan said doctors were likely performing an endoscopic surgery, carried out by inserting small instruments into a body cavity, rather than making surgical cuts in the abdomen to reach the prostate. The procedure lasts about an hour, Golan said, and recovery is quick. He said that aside from catheter use for one to three days after the procedure, patients can return to normal activity without significant limitations. AP correspondent Isaac Scharf contributed reporting.None

LA JOLLA, Calif., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ:MNOV) and the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Code Number: 4875), today announces the study update and interim analysis results from the Company’s COMBAT-ALS Phase 2b/3 clinical trial of MN-166 (ibudilast) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) will be presented at the 35th International Symposium on ALS/MND held December 6-8, 2024 in Montreal, Canada. The highlights of the presentation, titled, “ COMBAT-ALS Phase 2b/3 Trial of MN-166 (Ibudilast) in ALS: Trial Update and Interim Analysis Results” ( Abstract # 302), include: MediciNova CMO and Director Kazuko Matsuda commented, "The interim analysis showed a positive correlation between the 6-month and 12-month data. We considered a change in the treatment period, decided to continue the trial with the current treatment plan based on the DSMB's recommendation. We believe these results will be valuable in designing studies for rapidly progressing diseases like ALS. As of mid-November 2024, over 200 patients have been enrolled and more than 180 patients assigned, if we continue to actively enroll in the COMBAT-ALS study, we expect to complete patient assignments by June 2025 with trial results expected in 2026. Concurrently, we have been supporting continued treatment for those patients wishing to continue MN-166 treatment after the 6-month open-label phase via the FDA's Expanded Access Program (EAP). Next year, the NIH-funded, large-scale Expanded Access Program trial is set to begin, and we look forward to the opportunity to provide access to MN-166 to more ALS patients.” About MN-166 (ibudilast) MN-166 (ibudilast) is a small molecule compound that inhibits phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). It is in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), progressive MS (multiple sclerosis), and DCM (degenerative cervical myelopathy); and is also in development for glioblastoma, Long COVID, CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), and substance use disorder. In addition, MN-166 (ibudilast) was evaluated in patients that are at risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). About MediciNova MediciNova, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad late-stage pipeline of novel small molecule therapies for inflammatory, fibrotic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Based on two compounds, MN-166 (ibudilast) and MN-001 (tipelukast), with multiple mechanisms of action and strong safety profiles, MediciNova has 11 programs in clinical development. MediciNova’s lead asset, MN-166 (ibudilast), is currently in Phase 3 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and is Phase 3-ready for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). MN-166 (ibudilast) is also being evaluated in Phase 2 trials in Long COVID and substance dependence. MN-001 (tipelukast) was evaluated in a Phase 2 trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and a second Phase 2 trial in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is ongoing. MediciNova has a strong track record of securing investigator-sponsored clinical trials funded through government grants. Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future development and efficacy of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029. These forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by, or otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "can," "could," "may," "will," "would," “considering,” “planning” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks of obtaining future partner or grant funding for development of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029 and risks of raising sufficient capital when needed to fund MediciNova's operations and contribution to clinical development, risks and uncertainties inherent in clinical trials, including the potential cost, expected timing and risks associated with clinical trials designed to meet FDA guidance and the viability of further development considering these factors, product development and commercialization risks, the uncertainty of whether the results of clinical trials will be predictive of results in later stages of product development, the risk of delays or failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval, risks associated with the reliance on third parties to sponsor and fund clinical trials, risks regarding intellectual property rights in product candidates and the ability to defend and enforce such intellectual property rights, the risk of failure of the third parties upon whom MediciNova relies to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates to perform as expected, the risk of increased cost and delays due to delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical trials or significant issues regarding the adequacy of clinical trial designs or the execution of clinical trials, and the timing of expected filings with the regulatory authorities, MediciNova's collaborations with third parties, the availability of funds to complete product development plans and MediciNova's ability to obtain third party funding for programs and raise sufficient capital when needed, and the other risks and uncertainties described in MediciNova's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. MediciNova disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements. INVESTOR CONTACT : David H. Crean, Ph.D. Chief Business Officer MediciNova, Inc info@medicinova.com

North Carolina retaining its status as the nation's most prominent ticket-splitting state was the top political story for 2024 as determined by the Winston-Salem Journal. Voters supported putting Republican Donald Trump back in the White House, while delivering an overwhelming win for Democrat Attorney General Josh Stein over embattled Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the governor's race. North Carolinians also rejected Trump's MAGA acolytes for lieutenant governor, attorney general and state superintendent of Public Instruction. Speaking of Robinson, his GOP primary win over state Treasurer and Winston-Salem native Dale Folwell was the runner-up story. People are also reading... Foxy Roxy's Pizza prepares to bring pizza perfection to downtown Statesville, one slice at a time 2 troopers, 1 Statesville man injured in in head-on crash after Alexander County chase Initial realignment draft puts 5 Iredell schools in same 6A/7A conference Efficiency and versatility of Flowers a winning combination for North Iredell volleyball North Iredell Holiday Classic Basketball Schedule Garbage pickup, holiday hours listed for Statesville, Mooresville, Iredell County North Iredell dominates second basketball meeting with South Iredell West Iredell’s Moore, Lake Norman’s Dingman shine brightest in cross country Iredell Memorial Hospital named one of nation’s top hospitals 2 US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, US military says See balloons light up Statesville Park and Soccer Complex on Saturday Mooresville duo leads list of Iredell's top football players in 2024 3 injured in car-chase crash on Old Mountain Road in Alexander County Get to know Statesville basketball player Jay'Veon Lackey 160-home development rejected by Statesville City Council Third on the list was the national speculation that Gov. Roy Cooper could become Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate before removing his name from consideration. Fourth was the Republican supermajorities' successful override votes of 10 Cooper vetoes during the 2024 session, as well as the potential ending of the House supermajority in the 2025 session. Rounding out the top-five is the so-called "power grab" attempt by Republican legislative leaders of certain authorities of the Democratic-elect governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and state superintendent of Public Instructions. Both Trump and a Democratic governor candidate won North Carolina for the third consecutive general election. Trump carried North Carolina by a 50.95% to 47.56% margin over Harris. Trump received 2.87 million votes. Meanwhile, Stein defeated Robinson by 3.03 million to 2.22 million votes, or 54.8% to 40.1%. Stein not only was the largest vote-getter in the statewide races, but received 160,496 more votes than Trump. There were minimal, if any, Trump coattails for the other Republican MAGA acolytes running for lieutenant governor (Hal Weatherman), attorney general (U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop) and superintendent of Public Instruction (Michele Morrow). They were defeated by Lt. Gov.-elect Rachel Hunt, Attorney General-elect Jeff Jackson and superintendent-elect Maurice “Mo” Green, the former Guilford County Schools superintendent. Bishop and Morrow both drew about 180,000 fewer votes than Trump, while Weatherman was about 230,000 votes shy of Trump. What is different about the 2024 statewide races is that “voters generally cast party-line votes and aligned their Council of State votes with their presidential preference," said John Dinan, a Wake Forest University political science professor who is considered a national expert on state legislatures. “But in cases where one party’s candidate was able to portray the other party’s candidate as outside the mainstream, especially in open-seat races, this led some voters to engage in ticket-splitting." Folwell built his governor's campaign in March 2023 on the pillars of being the top statewide race vote-getter in 2016 and 2020, and that he offered stability, experience and maturity as “the best governor that money can’t buy.” Folwell did not hold back his questioning of Robinson’s qualifications to be governor given Robinson’s statements about racism, gender identity and women’s role in society. Yet, once Trump full-throatedly endorsed Robinson, calling him “Martin Luther King on steroids," that was enough to push Robinson to a decisive win over Folwell and Bill Graham. Among the criticisms of Folwell’s candidacy was that he was too prickly, too boring and didn’t display the same fiery campaign rhetoric as Robinson. Trump, however, chose to ostracize Robinson from his presidential campaign following the controversial Sept. 19 CNN report, as well as several Southeast Republican governors withdrawing their support. The CNN report included that Robinson wrote that he was a “Black Nazi” and that he not only supported a return of slavery but that he also wanted to own slaves. The story also said Robinson wrote that he liked to watch transgender porn. The comments were made on the porn website Nude Africa between 2008 and 2012. Robinson has denied making the comments and has filed a lawsuit against CNN. Folwell pulled no punches in the aftermath of the bombshell CNN report, calling Robinson a “counterfeit conservative” and “always playing the victim.” “In the end, North Carolina voters decided they wanted a government that would be more moderate because that is how North Carolinians see themselves," said Zagros Madjd-Sadjadi, an economics professor at Winston-Salem State University. Saying “It’s not the right time for North Carolina or for me to be on a national ticket,” Cooper pulled on July 30 his name from consideration as a vice presidential candidate for Harris . Being a popular two-term Democratic governor in a center-right Southern state was viewed by political analysts as a viable ticket-balancing option as Democrats attempting to shift N.C. back into the win column. CNN reported that Cooper, at 67, was the oldest potential vice president under consideration. “After all, only one person can be chosen for the vice president nominee, and there are at least a handful of strong candidates who come from swing states and who would provide some ideological balance to the ticket in the way that Cooper would have done," Dinan said. Another factor: Political analysts cited Robinson as being a potential deterrent for Cooper pursuing the vice president nominee. Robinson could potentially have issued executive orders as acting governor while Cooper was campaigning out of the state. As Cooper bowed out of VP consideration, speculation continued to swirl that Cooper is at the top of the list for Democratic challengers for two-term Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026. John Quinterno, principal with South by North Strategies Ltd. of Chapel Hill, said that given Cooper’s accomplishments as governor and his long career in public service, he “would be a strong candidate” to take on Tillis. Stein will enter office Jan. 1 with a viable, but razor-thin, veto power since House Democrats were successful in gaining a 49th seat, thus breaking the Republican super-majority after two years. A super-majority exists when Democrats or Republicans control two-thirds of a chamber's seats. Since Republican legislators regained supermajority status in April 2023 after Mecklenburg County Rep. Tricia Cotham switched from Democrat, they overrode 29 Cooper vetoes during the 2023 and 2024 sessions. Stein said that in the governor's race, North Carolinians "chose hope over hate, competence over chaos, decency over division.” Although Stein registered “a clear win,” John Locke Foundation senior political analyst Mitch Kokai cautioned that "he ought to be careful not to view that victory as an overwhelming mandate for his policy prescriptions." Meanwhile, Rep. Cecil Brockman, D-Guilford, continues to embrace his role as a potential supporter of certain GOP legislation, telling the News & Record that "you need me. I don't need you ." That's even though four other eastern N.C. House Democrats have been identified as potentially playing the same flipping role. The Republican-controlled legislature completed Dec. 11 the passing of controversial Senate Bill 382 that curtails or ends certain authorities of four Democratic Council of State seats, as well as making the State Highway Patrol commander post a non-elected Cabinet position appointed by the legislature. The N.C. House overrode Cooper’s veto by a 72-46 vote along party lines on Dec. 11. Cooper vetoed the bill Nov. 26, calling it “a sham” and a “cruel blow.” Cooper and Stein needed just a day to file on Dec. 12 a lawsuit in Wake County Superior Court challenging the constitutionality of SB382 with the foremost focus on the SHP commander legislation. SB382 also moves the State Board of Elections to the State Auditor’s Office, prevents the attorney general from undermining state law, and allows the state Treasurer to appoint a member to the Utilities Commission. SB382 appropriates an additional $227 million in Hurricane Helene disaster relief funding, but doesn’t immediately disperse it. "The people of western North Carolina are desperate for help from their state government. Yet, this bill is a power grab, not hurricane relief,” Stein said in a statement. Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, and House speaker for the 2025-26 sessions, said the disaster relief funding in SB382 “has been framed incorrectly" and “this body is entirely committed to helping folks in this state with storm relief." The Republican supermajorities overrode a Cooper veto to make school vouchers to private and religious schools available to all parents no matter their household income , as well as enforcing that urban Democratic sheriffs cooperate with federal ICE agents. About $460 million is now available for the state’s Opportunity Scholarship program for the 2024-25 school year. Funding for the waitlist is retroactive, with eligible families qualifying for a tuition reimbursement from their schools. There are more than 72,000 voucher applications for this school year, but only about 16,000 students were approved before the money ran out. Sen. Michael Lee, R-New Hanover, said there have been 27,256 applicants in Tier 1, which includes the lowest-income household, as well as 13,060 in Tier 2, 25,750 in Tier 3 and 12,228 in Tier 4, which Lee said half of which come from Mecklenburg and Wake counties. All North Carolina sheriffs began Dec. 1 being required to cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers for offenses committed on or after that date. Several metro sheriffs — including Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough of Forsyth County and Sheriff Danny Rogers of Guilford County — have limited their cooperation. “No longer will sheriffs in our most populated counties get away with ignoring federal immigration detainers issued by ICE," according to a joint statement from Republican Senate Judiciary Committee chairmen Danny Britt Jr. of Robeson County, Warren Daniel of Burke County and Buck Newton of Wilson County. "With House Bill 10 finally becoming law, and the Trump administration taking over in Washington, we’re on the path toward a stronger border and safer United States.” Another potential casualty within SB382 is the loss of the Forsyth County Superior Court 31-D seat , held by Democrat Todd Burke. The seat would be eliminated in 2029, along with a seat in Wake County also held by a Democrat. In their place, the legislature would create two Superior Court seats, one appointed by the Senate leader and the other by the House speaker. Both judges would serve an eight-year term. Their districts would be identified when the nominees are submitted for appointment. Rep. Robert Reives, D-Chatham, and House minority leader, said Burke’s seat is being eliminated because he took legal stances opposed by Republican legislative leadership and not because of the quality of his overall work or the lack of need for the seat. A primary example came in 2017 when Burke was part of a three-judge panel that ruled it was unconstitutional for the Republican supermajority at that time to revamp the state elections board and ethics commission weeks before Cooper was sworn in to his first term as governor. Sen. Dan Blue, D-Wake, and Senate minority leader, called part of the intent of SB328 to allow Republican legislative leaders to be able to turn to favorable Superior Court judges that they appoint, rather than go before judges that may hold them accountable to the constitutionality of their actions. Yet another successful GOP veto override in House Bill 237 loosened campaign-financing laws and significantly restricted public mask wearing for health and safety reasons. The insertion of state campaign finance law changes into HB237 has been pitched as either leveling the playing field on corporate and union donations, or opening another floodgate for out-of-state dark money into high-profile 2024 election races. HB237 became law amid predictions that the Stein-Robinson governor's race would be among the costliest in the country. “This legislation creates a gaping loophole for secret, unlimited campaign money in the middle of an election year,” Cooper said in a statement. “The legislation also removes protections and threatens criminal charges for people who want to protect their health by wearing a mask." Rep. Sarah Crawford, D-Wake, said the number of North Carolinians affected by the masking part of HB237 could reach 2 million when counting immunocompromised individuals, those that assist them, and workers who require masking to perform their jobs outdoors. A compromise reached between House and Senate Republican leadership narrowly defined exemptions as allowing individuals ages 16 and older to wear a medical or surgical grade mask for the purpose of preventing the spread of contagious disease — with the condition of removing it upon request by law enforcement. “Bad actors have been using masks to conceal their identity when they commit crimes and intimidate the innocent,” said Sen. Danny Britt, R-Scotland, and Senate sponsor of HB237. “Instead of helping put an end to this threatening behavior, the governor wants to continue encouraging these thugs by giving them more time to hide from the consequences of their actions." The Triad will be represented by two new-blood Republican U.S. House candidates in newcomers Pat Harrigan and Addison McDowell . Both cruised to comfortable victories in their respective 10th and 6th district races considering they were all but ordained once they won their primaries in March given their districts were gerrymandered into safe Republican seats during the 2023 redrawing of the state’s congressional map. The redrawn map produced what political analysts had projected: a shift from North Carolina’s 14 congressional seats being split at 7-7 to a 10-4 Republican majority. Their victories were pivotal to U.S. House Republicans holding on to bare majority of seats for the 2025-26 sessions. Democratic-leaning Winston-Salem is in the new 10th, along with Republican-leaning western Forsyth County suburbs and solidly conservative counties Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln and Yadkin. The 6th District is the most Triad-centric of the four U.S. House districts in the region. The new map includes Kernersville, Walkertown and the southern Forsyth border — all Republican strongholds. In Guilford County, the 6th District portion forms a loop shaped like a backward C around the county’s suburban communities and High Point. Also included are all of Davidson, Davie and Rowan counties, and about 20% of Cabarrus County. A bipartisan and controversial N.C. Senate medical marijuana bill cleared the chamber in June for the second time during the 2023-24 sessions. However, Republican House leadership quickly shelved the revamped House Bill 563 without receiving a committee hearing. Outgoing House speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, told legislative media outlets that for a medical marijuana bill to clear the House, there would need to be “reasonable controls,” and a balance to have enough distributors to prescribe and avoid a monopoly. Still, a block of House Republicans has opposed any medical marijuana language out of concern that it could serve as a gateway to legalized recreational marijuana use. They also claim that medical research isn’t definitive that it benefits users. The bill also contains language that would: place Tianeptine, Xylazine and Kratom on the state’s controlled substance schedules; create criminal penalties for criminal possession and unlawful sale of embalming fluid; and create penalties for exposing a minor to a controlled substance. HB563 would permit the use of medical marijuana — prescribed only by licensed physician — for individuals with ALS, cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments, but not for those experiencing chronic pain. Importantly, the bill does not allow recreational marijuana usage or the marketing of medical marijuana to anyone under age 21. rcraver@wsjournal.com 336-727-7376 @rcraverWSJ Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

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is officially a spin-off of . But unlike the first spin-off , which follows past Saint Marie favorite DI Humphrey Goodman ( ), this Aussie version isn't about a character from . Indeed, other than a quick cameo by Ardal O Hanlon as former lead DI Jack Mooney, it's a bit of a stretch to call this a spin-off! However, once Anna Samson appears on the screen as DI Mackenzie Clarke you forget all this and suddenly you feel like you truly are in the so-called "Paraverse". she believes her character is like DI Richard Poole, 's first and I think best detective. Mackenzie has that awkward brilliance Poole displayed while struggling to deal with social situations. Indeed Mackenzie has managed to offend the people of Dolphin Cove, the fictional Aussie setting, so much that when a cab driver realizes it’s her he kicks her out of his car! Mackenzie is on leave from London, where she's a top cop working with DI Jack Mooney. But she's left London under something of a cloud and ends up back in a place she loathes. Desperate for help on a murder, the local police chief Philomena Strong (Catherine McClements) — a sort of Commissioner Patterson type — asks Mackenzie to lead the case, much to the upset of Detective S.C Colin Cartwright (Lloyd Griffith) who thinks he can crack the case by himself. has always hinged on the central relationship between the lead detective and their deputy and luckily on early evidence gets this right. There are some nice comedy moments between Mackenzie and Colin. On discovering Mackenzie is living at her mum's place, Colin gleefully says you can often see someone bathing naked out the back. Mackenzie replies yes that's her mother! There's another great moment where Colin buys Mackenzie a coffee only for her to just dump it in the bin and declare she doesn't like coffee! The supporting cast is all perfectly fine, but it's Anna's show and your engagement lifts every time she's on screen. The first murder she has to solve is very with an estate agent found with a dagger in his back on the beach. He was last seen miles away from where his body was found, so how on earth could he have got there? If you’re a fan you’ll enjoy all the nods to the series like the murder board in the police station. One thing has over is that Mackenzie is investigating murders, which are much more interesting than some of the lower-level crimes DI Humphrey Goodman gets stuck with in . In some ways then is actually closer to than . It has that fish-out-of-water vibe that lacks as Humphrey is now settled with Martha. If you love there's more than a good chance you'll enjoy . And if you’ve never seen it in your life then you don’t actually need any prior knowledge to appreciate . It's a fun, gentle crime series lifted by a great central performance.

NEW YORK , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) market size is estimated to grow by USD 92.31 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 30.8% during the forecast period. Favorable government policies and subsidies is driving market growth, with a trend towards deployment of smart grids for EVS. However, lack of standardization of ev charging poses a challenge. Key market players include ABB Ltd., Alfen NV, Blink Charging Co., BP Plc, ChargePoint Holdings Inc., Chroma ATE Inc., Comeca Group, Delta Electronics Inc., Eaton Corp. Plc, Efacec Power Solutions SGPS SA, Enphase Energy Inc., E.ON SE, Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc., LS Power Development LLC, Phihong USA Corp., Schneider Electric SE, Shell plc, Siemens AG, Webasto SE, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market is experiencing significant growth as the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) continues. Charging stations and docks are essential for EVs, requiring electrical conductors and related equipment to transfer electric power to the vehicle's batteries. EVSE systems adhere to various communications protocols, such as DC Fast Chargers, and are used by major stakeholders like auto manufacturers, electric utilities, commercial fleets, public transit, retail establishments, seaports, airports, bus depots, hotels, parks, highways, corporate offices, homes, and more. NEMA Members are involved in the development of codes, rating systems, and standards for EVSE infrastructure. Contractors and installers require training programs to ensure proper installation. Incentives like tax benefits and subsidies encourage EV adoption. IEA reports show electric car sales increasing, with passenger car sales from automobile manufacturers being impacted by the shutdown of operations due to liquidity issues and carbon emission concerns. Smart cities aim to reduce reliance on non-renewable sources like crude oil and CO2 emission, leading to the growth of the EVSE market. Charging station finance, types like normal charging, supercharging, and inductive charging, and installation types like fixed chargers and portable chargers, are key areas of focus. The novel coronavirus pandemic has affected import-export and the workforce, leading to a supply-demand gap. Future estimations indicate investment pockets in EVSE market, especially in charging infrastructure development. The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the deployment of advanced charging infrastructure, specifically smart grids. Smart grids enable real-time communication between EV charging stations and the power grid, providing crucial information on load requirements and power quality. This data supports the integration of variable generation technologies and serves as a foundation for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) infrastructure, which includes grid applications like smart energy meters, SCADA systems, IT, and communication networks. The implementation of smart grids is expanding rapidly in countries such as China , the US, India , Spain , Germany , and France . For instance, in August 2021 , Singapore Power initiated a V2G pilot project to explore the potential of EVs as small energy storage systems, addressing renewable energy's intermittency. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Challenges in this market include the need for advanced charging stations and docks, reliable electrical conductors, and related equipment. Communication protocols, such as DC Fast Charger and NEMA Members, are essential for seamless integration with EVSE infrastructure. Major stakeholders include auto manufacturers, electric utilities, and charging station installers. Training programs for contractors and installers are crucial to ensure proper installation and maintenance of EVSE systems. Codes, rating systems, and standards play a vital role in ensuring safety and interoperability. Major players in the market include Andrei Moldoveanu and Resources. Commercial fleets, public transit, retail establishments, seaports, airports, bus depots, hotels, parks, highways, corporate offices, and homes are potential customers for EVSE. Batteries, incentives, tax benefits, and subsidies are key factors driving EV sales. The IEA estimates electric car sales to surpass passenger car sales by 2035. However, challenges include the shutdown of operations due to the novel coronavirus, supply-demand gap, and the shift from non-renewable sources like crude oil and fossil fuel. Charging station finance, charging station type (normal charging, supercharging, and inductive charging), installation type (fixed charger and portable charger), and the impact of import-export, workforce, factories, testing of systems, and the supply-demand gap are other critical factors. The future of the EVSE market lies in investment pockets, smart cities, and the transition away from carbon emission, ICE vehicles, and road tax, purchase tax, and registration fees. The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market faces a significant challenge due to the lack of standardization in EV charging infrastructure. Vendors are actively expanding charging networks, but the absence of universal EV charger and installation standards in public places is a concern. Each region or market has distinct charging standards, such as CHAdeMO in Japan , CCS in Europe , the US, and South Korea , and GB/T 20234 in China , which is similar to the IEC 62196 standard in Germany . Standardization is crucial to streamline the EV charging experience and ensure compatibility among various EV models and charging networks. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This electric vehicle supply equipment (evse) market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Level 2 1.2 Level 1 1.3 Level 3 2.1 Residential 2.2 Commercial 3.1 APAC 3.2 North America 3.3 Europe 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Level 2- Level 2 charging refers to the electric vehicle supply equipment that delivers power at a higher voltage (240 volts, AC) and amperage than a standard household power outlet. This infrastructure caters to both residential and commercial applications, providing a convenient and reliable charging solution for electric vehicle owners. Level 2 charging stations are commonly found in parking garages, workplaces, public locations like shopping centers, universities, and hotels. These charging stations offer faster and more efficient charging, enabling EV owners to charge their vehicles while they park, work, or engage in daily activities. Companies and parking garage operators recognize the growing demand for EV charging and are installing level 2 charging stations to accommodate their customers and employees. Homeowners can also install level 2 charging stations in their garages or driveways for a convenient and fast charging solution. The increasing popularity of level 2 charging infrastructure is expected to fuel the growth of the level 2 segment in the global electric vehicle supply equipment market. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market refers to the infrastructure required to charge electric vehicles (EVs), including charging stations, charging docks, and related equipment. These systems facilitate the transfer of electric power from the grid to the vehicle's batteries. EVSE systems consist of electrical conductors and other necessary components. EVSE is essential for various sectors such as Bus depots, Hotels, Parks, Highways, Corporate offices, Homes, and more. Batteries are an integral part of the EV ecosystem, and EVSE plays a crucial role in their charging. Governments and organizations offer incentives like tax benefits to promote the adoption of EVs and EVSE. EVSE includes different charging technologies like Supercharging, Inductive charging, Fixed chargers, and Portable chargers. The EVSE market has been impacted by the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, with import-export and non-essential items facing disruptions. The workforce involved in EVSE manufacturing and installation has also been affected. Market Research Overview The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market refers to the infrastructure required to charge electric vehicles (EVs), including charging stations, charging docks, and related equipment. EVSE systems utilize electrical conductors and communications protocols to transfer electric power from the grid to the vehicle's batteries. DC Fast Chargers are a popular type of EVSE, providing quick charging solutions for long-distance travel. NEMA Members and major stakeholders, such as auto manufacturers, electric utilities, commercial fleets, public transit, retail establishments, seaports, airports, bus depots, hotels, parks, highways, corporate offices, homes, and batteries, are major players in the EVSE infrastructure development. Incentives like tax benefits, subsidies, and codes and rating systems are crucial for the growth of the EVSE market. EVSE standards and training programs for contractors and installers ensure safe and efficient installation and maintenance. Major challenges include the supply-demand gap, liquidity issues, and the shift from ICE vehicles to EVs. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the EVSE market, affecting import-export and non-essential items. The future of the EVSE market depends on the continued growth of electric car sales, the transition away from non-renewable sources like crude oil, and the development of smart cities. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Level 2 Level 1 Level 3 Application Residential Commercial Geography APAC North America Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan gave athletic director Warde Manuel a five-year contract extension Thursday on the heels of the Wolverines' upset over rival Ohio State and a strong start to the basketball season. Manuel, who has held the position since 2016, signed through June 30, 2030, the school announced. Manuel is also chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee. “During Warde’s tenure as director, Athletics has put a structure in place where our student-athletes compete for Big Ten and national championships, excel in the classroom, and proudly graduate with their University of Michigan degrees,” university President Santa J. Ono said in the announcement. Michigan had a disappointing football season, finishing 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten), but a 13-10 win over then-No. 2 Ohio State took some pressure off of the program. The Buckeyes were favored by 21 points, the widest point spread for the rivalry since 1978, according to ESPN Stats and Info. The Wolverines won the national championship last year in their final season led by coach Jim Harbaugh, whose tenure at the school involved multiple NCAA investigations for recruiting and sign-stealing allegations. Manuel supported Harbaugh through those processes. In basketball, the women's team made its season debut (No. 23) in the AP Top 25 this week. The men are 7-1 a season after firing coach Juwan Howard, who lost a school-record 24 games in 2023-24 as Michigan plummeted to a last-place finish in the Big Ten for the first time since 1967. Michigan has won 52 Big Ten championships since 2020. “Every day, I am thankful to work at this great institution and to represent Michigan Athletics," Manuel said in a statement. "I especially want to thank the student-athletes, coaches and staff who compete for each of our teams and who have helped us achieve unparalleled success athletically and academically. I am excited to continue giving back to a university that has provided me with so much over my career.” 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