I’ve started admiring other men’s bodies at the pool and it makes me wonder if I’m gayWith Spotify's insanely large library of 100 million songs, odds are you'll easily find your favorite tracks on the platform. Just type the song title in the search bar, hit play, and start enjoying your music. However, finding a specific song on Spotify is one thing; creating a playlist is an entirely different story. Sometimes, you know exactly which songs you want to include in your playlist, so building it is a piece of cake. But more often than not, you don't have a clear idea of the specific tracks to use. You just know what kind of vibe you're in the mood for at certain instances — maybe something upbeat for cleaning the house, mellow tunes for a relaxing Sunday morning, or soulful ballads for a romantic dinner. Normally, you'd either spend hours doing your research on which songs to add or rely on a third-party tool like PlaylistAI, the ChatGPT-powered Spotify playlist generator . Fortunately, there's now an easier, official way to make your playlists on Spotify: Using the all-new AI Playlist. Here's a closer look at what this feature is, how it works, and how you can start using it. The AI Playlist is a Spotify feature designed to help you with your next playlist . However, it's unlike the Discover Weekly and AI DJ features that automatically curate the tracks based on your listening history. Instead, you get to play an active role in creating the playlist by giving the AI Playlist some prompts to base the song selection on. These prompts are similar to what you'll typically use on AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini , and Microsoft Copilot. But for better results, Spotify recommends adding specifics like artists, genres, and decades, alongside non-musical details like places, activities, colors, and even movie characters. The songs in the AI-generated playlist are then chosen based on two things: What the AI thinks fits your prompt and what your previous streaming activities are on the app. You might see a mix of music you frequently listen to and tracks from artists you're unfamiliar with. As of this writing, the AI Playlist feature is still in beta and exclusive on the mobile app (both Android and iOS) for Premium subscribers. Also, only users in the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland can currently access this feature. To build a playlist that fits your needs, the Spotify AI Playlist uses several inputs you provide. The first input is your initial prompt. You can send a simple description of what you want the playlist to have, such as "instrumental jazz for studying" or "awesome covers." You can also be more elaborate, like, "I'm hosting a dinner party for my friends. Make me a playlist with some 2000's pop songs to play while we're enjoying our meal." Or "Give me an inspiring and motivational playlist for my gym workout session." After sending the first prompt, the AI Playlist will proceed to build an initial list of songs. From there, you can opt to send more prompts to refine the generated playlist. These extra prompts can be something like "add more chill songs," "include female artists only," or "make the playlist 40 tracks long." The tool also gives you the option to keep or delete specific songs from the selection. Songs you choose to include will stay in your playlist even after you submit more prompts, while those you remove won't be recommended again. If you don't keep any of the songs, the AI might replace some or all of the initially included tracks once you refine the playlist. To unlock the AI Playlist feature, you'll need to get Spotify Premium first. Once you do, simply follow these steps to use the tool: If you want to make any changes later, you can still do so by navigating to Your Library, opening the AI-generated playlist, and tapping the Refine playlist at the top. If you're in a country where the AI Playlist is already available but you can't find it in your app, try updating Spotify to the latest version. If the feature is still missing, it might not be rolled out to your account yet, so check back in a few days.
Following much speculation, Love Island star Maura Higgins has entered the I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here jungle and viewers are delighted. The Longford native was one of the first rumoured celebrities to participate in the show but threw fans off the scent when she enjoyed a trip to Las Vegas last week. Viewers were ‘ furious ‘ after the 33-year-old wasn’t among those heading into the jungle on Sunday night. Maura entered Love Island as a bombshell, and has returned to television screens following the same suit — as a bombshell arrival on I’m A Celebrity . The TV presenter made her entrance on Thursday alongside Reverend Richard Coles, with the duo taking up base at the Jungle Junkyard for the coming days. Despite living in luxury, the celebrities are tasked with contacting the main camp and convincing them that they are living in squalor. GK Barry and Coleen Rooney head down to the Jungle Junkyard, with Maura and Richard quickly hiding the luxury items and putting on the act. GK and Coleen returned to the camp and informed their campmates that Maura and Richard were in a place ‘like a jail,’ with GK adding that she didn’t know ‘if Maura is going to last.’ Viewers took to X to have their say as the Love Island alum made her I’m A Celebrity debut. One said: ‘I can tell Maura Higgins is going to ruffle a lot of feathers in the jungle and severely disrupt the peace #ImACeleb.’ Another wrote: ‘Maura Higgins already looks annoying and I’ve only seen 5 seconds of her #ImACeleb.’ A third added: ‘Maura F****ng Higgins aghhh #ImACeleb’ while a fourth shared: ‘Maura f*****g Higgins, the bombshell of all bombshells #ImACeleb MAURA HIGGINS IS BACK ON MY TV. SENSATIONAL SCENES #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/Lyb8uev16N Maura Higgins is going to tear this camp apart piece by piece #ImACeleb #imacelebrity pic.twitter.com/ICqk08DbzC MAURA HIGGINS HAS ARRIVEDDD Maura as soon Grace & Colleen left their junkyard camp #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/bHBmjYnHiL Maura this is for you🫶🏻 #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/4N6Ccpo5B6 “jesus christ. sorry father” oh maura’s already given me more joy than the past few episodes have collectively #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/BnaGXXRT5i Maura and Richard are literally having the time of their life! I love this series 🤣🤣🤣 #ImACelebWall Street stocks declined on Wednesday, retreating from records after pricing data showed an uptick in inflation, as leading companies fell after earnings reports. After three straight closing records for the Dow and Tuesday's record for the S&P 500, both dropped along with the Nasdaq in the final full trading session of the week. The Dow Jones finished down 0.3 percent at 44,722. The S&P 500 fell 0.4 percent to 5,998, while the Nasdaq shed 0.6 percent to 19,060. Despite Wednesday's lacklustre session, investors are optimistic about the upcoming period. A note from CFRA Research pointed out that December has historically been the strongest month of the year for the S&P 500 since World War II. "We project additional new highs through year-end as the S&P approaches our 6,145 target level," CFRA said in the note. "However, the year ahead could offer additional challenges, which will likely lead to a below-average full-year gain." The personal consumption expenditures price index rose 2.3 percent in the 12 months to October, up from 2.1 percent in September, the Commerce Department announced. The benchmark is closely watched by the Federal Reserve. Futures markets currently place the odds at about two-thirds that the Fed will cut interest rates again in December by a quarter of a percentage point. Among individual companies, both Dell Technologies and HP Inc. fell sharply on disappointment with their profit outlooks. Dell slumped 12.3 percent and HP lost 11.4 percent. Department store Nordstrom also retreated, sinking 8.2 percent as it reported a 4.6 percent increase in revenues. But the company also reported lower profits in a move attributed to higher costs. Markets will be closed on Thursday and open for only a half-day on Friday. (AFP)Giants Exec Blasts ESPN's Elle Duncan for Mocking Daniel Jones After Release
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $75,000 In WM Technology To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $75,000 in WM Technology between May 25, 2021 and September 24, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK , Nov. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP , a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against WM Technology, Inc. ("WM Technology" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: MAPS ) and reminds investors of the December 16, 2024 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York , Pennsylvania , California and Georgia . The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com . As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that (1) WM Technology's monthly average user metrics (MAUs) were severely inflated for years; and (2) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. On September 25, 2024 , the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") issued a litigation release in which it announced it had "charged public company WM Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAPS ), its former CEO, Christopher Beals , and its former CFO, Arden Lee , for making negligent misrepresentations in WM Technology's public reporting of a self-described key operating metric, the "monthly active users," or "MAU," for WM Technology's online cannabis marketplace." The same announcement noted the SEC had "also instituted a related settled administrative proceeding against WM Technology" and "WM Technology also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1,500,000 ." On this news, WM Technology's stock fell 1.9% on September 25, 2024 . The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding WM Technology's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the WM Technology, Inc. class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/MAPS or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . Follow us for updates on LinkedIn , on X , or on Facebook . Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP ( www.faruqilaw.com ). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLPIOWA CITY — Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara made a post to social media on Friday to reaffirm his commitment to the Hawkeyes. In a post to his personal Instagram account, McNamara described himself as "proud member" of the Iowa football program. Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara throws against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich. "It has come to my attention that there are individuals in the media circulating rumors about my current status on the Iowa Football Team," McNamara wrote. "These are ridiculous accusations and 100% false. My status on the same as it's always been — a proud member of this football team." The a picture of McNamara participating in Iowa's pregame swarm, hand-in-hand with his Hawkeyes teammates, accompanied the statement. Rumors questioning McNamara's status started to swirl on social media earlier this week. The rumors claimed McNamara departed the football program or refused to play for the remainder of the season after back-to-back starts for Brendan Sullivan. The "clearly cloudy" description of Iowa's quarterback situation from head coach Kirk Ferentz further added fuel to the rumors. On Tuesday, Ferentz indicated fourth-string walk-on Jackson Stratton would start against Maryland despite McNamara occupying the top spot on the quarterback depth chart on Monday. In his post, McNamara clarified the injury he sustained against Northwestern and which forced him out for Iowa's win over Wisconsin and loss to UCLA. "I suffered a concussion versus Northwestern and have been doign everything in my power to get back on the field," McNamara wrote. "I have NOT been cleared to play yet. I was cleared to participate in practice this past Sunday but had an adverse reaction which is common for someone coming out of protocol. "I have been lifting and attending meetings as much as possible but have not physically participated in practice Monday through Thursday of this week." The injury and his adverse reaction prevented McNamara from making the trip to Maryland this weekend. The graduate senior added he remains intent on returning to the field for Iowa's season finale against Nebraska next Friday. "I am working with the University of Iowa doctors and trainers, a concussion specialist focused on vision training, as well as engaging in hyperbaric treatments as frequent as possible," McNamara said. "...I am confident that my teammates will return from Maryland with a win." A post shared by Cade McNamara (@cademac.12) McNamara appeared in the first eight games of the season and completed 60.5% of his passes for 1,017 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions before exiting in the second half of a win over Northwestern. With McNamara and Sullivan out, Stratton is expected to start his first career game at Iowa. The former Colorado State transfer went 3-of-6 for 28 yards in relief of an injured Sullivan against UCLA. With the Rams, Stratton went 4-of-17 for 78 yards and one touchdown to two interceptions in four appearances as a freshman in 2022. The Hawkeyes face Maryland at 11 a.m. on Saturday with broadcast coverage provided by Big Ten Network. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz offered the oxymoronic and ambiguous phrase 'clearly cloudy' when discusses who his quarterback would be against Maryland on Saturday. Despite Maryland's losing record and three-game losing streak, the Iowa Hawkeyes head into Saturday's matchup with the Terrapins focused on being "ready to go" and starting fast. In the wake of Mark Farley's midseason retirement announcement, Iowa coaches sent their congratulations to the 24-year head coach of Northern Iowa football and weighed in on Farley's final message. 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BEIRUT (AP) — A Syrian opposition war monitor and a pro-government media outlet say government forces have withdrawn from much of the central city of Homs. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. Losing Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Syria’s embattled leader, Bashar Assad. The city stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. Its capture is a major victory for insurgents, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said Homs falling into rebel hands would be a game-changer. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only four of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Homs, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad's status Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. The insurgents' march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. Syria’s military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle loomed. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.
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Drama surrounds final three F1 races of season
LAS VEGAS — There are three races remaining in the Formula 1 season and Max Verstappen of Red Bull is close to a fourth consecutive world championship, which can wrap up Saturday night at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. All is not smooth sailing headed into this final month of racing: "It was a bit of a surprise, I think, for everybody," said Mercedes driver George Russell, a GPDA director. "It's a hell of a lot of pressure now onto the new race director (with) just three races left. Often, as drivers, we probably feel like we're the last to find out this sort of information." The Andretti team is expected to receive F1 approval to join the grid, albeit without Michael Andretti, who has scaled back his role dramatically since the IndyCar season ended in September. Many drivers, particularly seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, have been at odds with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem since his election following the 2021 season finale. In the GDPA statement, they reminded the sanctioning body "our members are adults" who don't need lectures and fines on foul language or jewelry bans, and simply want fair and consistent race control. There's been no response from Ben Sulayem, and won't be this weekend since he does not attend the LVGP. He will be at Qatar and the finale in Abu Dhabi next month. Hamilton doesn't think all the behind-the-scenes changes will be a fan topic as the season comes to a close. But he noted that consistency from race control is all the drivers have asked for, while throwing his support behind Domenicali and the job Maffei has done in growing F1 since Liberty took over. "I really hope Stefano is not leaving because he's been so instrumental in changes and progress to this whole thing," Hamilton said. "And he knows the sport as well as anyone. But all good things do come to an end, and whoever they put into place, I just hope they are like-minded. But sometimes you have to shake the trees." That's just what happened with the surprise departure of race director Wittich. Although drivers have been unhappy with race officiating this season and held a private GPDA meeting in Mexico City, Russell said they had no prior warning Wittich was out. The race director is the referee each weekend and Wittich has been in charge since 2022, when Michael Masi was fired following the controversial 2021 season-ending, championship-altering finale at Abu Dhabi. Now the man in charge for the final three races is Rui Marques, the Formula 2 and Formula 3 race director. Las Vegas, which overcame multiple stumbling blocks in last year's debut before putting on one of the best races of the season, is a difficult place to start. Verstappen can win his fourth title by simply scoring three points more than Lando Norris of McLaren. "It's a bit weird with three races to go to do that," Verstappen said. "It doesn't matter if you're positive or negative about certain things. I thought in Brazil there was definitely room for improvement, for example. It's still a bit weird having to now then deal with a different race director." Charles Leclerc of Ferrari wondered why the move was made with only three races to go. "To do it so late in the season, at such a crucial moment of the season, it could have probably been managed in a better way," he said. The drivers have consistently asked for clearer guidelines in the officiating of races, specifically regarding track limits and racing rules. The drivers have no idea how Marques will officiate, highlighting a disconnect between the competitors and Ben Sulaymen's FIA. "We just want to be transparent with the FIA and have this dialogue that is happening," Russell said. "And I think the departure of Niels is also a prime example of not being a part of these conversations." The GDPA statement made clear the drivers do not think their voice is being heard. "If we feel we're being listened to, and some of the changes that we are requesting are implemented, because ultimately we're only doing it for the benefit of the sport, then maybe our confidence will increase," Russell said. "But I think there's a number of drivers who feel a bit fed up with the whole situation. It only seems to be going in the wrong direction." He also said the relationship between the drivers and the FIA seems fractured. "Sometimes just hiring and firing is not the solution," he said. "You need to work together to improve the problem." Norris, who has battled Verstappen this year with mixed officiating rulings, said "obviously things are not running as smoothly as what we would want." Marques has his first driver meeting ahead of Thursday night's two practice sessions and then three weeks to prove to the competitors he is up for the job. Carlos Sainz Jr., who will leave Ferrari for Williams at the end of the season, hopes the drama doesn't distract from the momentum F1 has built over the last five years. "I think Formula 1 is in a great moment right now and all these rumors, I think in every team, every job, there's job changes," he said. "It's not big drama. I'm a big fan of the people you mentioned, they've done an incredible job in Formula 1 and Formula 1 is what it is thanks to these people. But it's just so emotional, especially the Stefano one. The only one that has a real effect is the race director. But I think if he does a good job, it should be transparent and nothing big." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Marrakech Film Festival bestows Palestinian film 'Happy Holidays' with top awardNEW YORK — Six people were killed in a fiery car crash in Newark, New Jersey, late Friday night after the car they were in flew off an overpass, smashed into a support beam and then burst into flames. The tragic incident occurred just before 11 p.m ., near Raymond Boulevard and Blanchard Street, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said, according to NorthJersey.com . The car carrying the six individuals “somehow went off the roadway, became airborne, and struck a support column for the Pulaski Skyway before landing on the ground,” officials said. The vehicle then caught fire, killing all six victims, whose identities have not been released. Shocking images circulating on social media show the burned and charred remains of a vehicle under the Pulaski Skyway. The back of the car is completely destroyed and at least one of its wheels is off. A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office confirmed to the Daily News that the crash “resulted in the deaths of six individuals” but declined to offer any more details. A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Monday. “No further updates will be issued until that time,” the spokesperson said. ©2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.No. 7 Tennessee dispatches UT Martin to remain undefeatedNew York Jets running back Breece Hall sat out practice Wednesday with an injured knee and it's uncertain if he'll play Sunday against Seattle. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Hall hurt the knee in the on Nov. 17, but was able to finish the game. Hall experienced some soreness, so the team is being cautious with its leading rusher. “We’re going to protect him from himself a little bit today, but we’ll see how the week goes along,” Ulbrich said. “Still hopeful that he’s going to play for us, but we’ll see.” Hall has 632 yards rushing and four touchdowns, along with 46 catches for 401 yards and two scores for the Jets, who were holding their first full practice since returning from their bye-week break. Rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis would likely fill in if Hall can't play. Left tackle Tyron Smith remains sidelined with a neck injury and Ulbrich acknowledged Smith could be a candidate for the injured reserve list. Smith, in his first season with New York after 13 in Dallas, missed the game against the Colts after leaving the Jets' loss in Arizona with the neck injury. Rookie Olu Fashanu would be in line to start again in Smith's place. “Just not enough improvement at this point,” Ulbrich said of Smith. “It’s really become apparent that we might have to do what’s best for Tyron in that way. But (we're) still collecting information.” Ulbrich said Smith, whose injury hasn't been specified, has been splitting his time between being at the facility and having exams elsewhere. “He's getting stuff done,” Ulbrich said. “He's got the best doctors on Earth working with him.” The Jets could get linebacker in his neck that sidelined him the past four games. Mosley, who was injured during pregame warmups on Oct. 27, fully practiced Wednesday. “He's going to give it a run,” Ulbrich said before practice. “We're going to see what it looks like. ... And then tomorrow will be the big test. You know, get pads on him, get him to contact and see how he responds with that. If things go well, which I’m hopeful they will, he’ll go. If not, he won’t.” Wide receiver Malachi Corley didn't practice because of an illness and cornerback Quan'tez Stiggers was out for personal reasons. Offensive lineman Xavier Newman was limited after having his practice window opened. Newman has been on injured reserve since hurting his neck at Pittsburgh last month and being taken to the hospital. ___ AP NFL: Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press
DEADLINE ALERT: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of WM Technology
Rolling out new criminal laws, CAA major tasks of MHA in 2024It’s a little like that old saying goes: there’s no party like an Amazon party ’cause an Amazon party don’t stop. And neither does the Amazon Black Friday 2024 sale. How about a little holiday Q and A? Q: “How long is Amazon’s Black Friday sale?” A: Amazon’s Black Friday Week has been live all week long, and it continues today! Not only that, but the mega e-tailer will follow up their Black Friday Week sale with rockin’ Cyber Monday deals next week! How about this one: Q: “Does Amazon do Black Friday?” A: Better than almost anyone else out there , with thousands of dollars of savings to be had across all categories. Wondering where to find the best Amazon Black Friday laptop deals , Amazon Black Friday TV deals , or the best deals on an Amazon Kindle Black Friday ? Then you’ve come to the right place, because below, we’ve rounded up out 140+ favorite Amazon Black Friday deals available this week, featuring huge, doorbuster deals on brands like Apple, Dyson, DeWalt, Shark, Samsung, LEGO, and many, many more. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite deals by category. Use the links to navigate to your preferred section, or simply scroll to take in all of what Amazon’s Black Friday has to offer. Happy shopping! Best Amazon Black Friday Deals 2024 Best Black Friday Amazon Apple Deals The Apple AirPods Pro 2 deliver impressive audio with advanced noise cancellation and a spatial audio feature for an immersive listening experience. They offer a more comfortable fit with customizable silicone tips and an improved H2 chip for enhanced sound quality and longer battery life, perfect for everyday use. Check out our roundup of the best AirPods deals on the internet here . The Beats Studio Pro headphones deliver an immersive audio experience with superior sound quality and adaptive noise cancellation. Featuring a sleek design, they offer wireless connectivity and a long-lasting battery life. Built for comfort, these headphones also include intuitive touch controls for effortless navigation, making them perfect for any music lover. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers advanced GPS and cellular capabilities, perfect for fitness enthusiasts and adventurers. Its 49mm titanium case is designed for durability and rugged use, with a larger display for improved readability. It includes advanced health tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen levels, and ECG. The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) delivers essential smartwatch features at an affordable price. With a 40mm display, it offers GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and fitness tracking. The watch supports notifications, calls, and messages, while providing all-day battery life. It’s a stylish, reliable option for everyday use. The Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS) features a 42mm case and offers enhanced health and fitness features. With a larger display, it supports heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and notifications right on your wrist. This model is perfect for those looking to track their fitness journey without cellular connectivity. The Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + Cellular) with a 42mm case brings ultimate convenience with its cellular connectivity. Stay connected on the go, make calls, stream music, and access apps without needing your phone. It’s perfect for active users who want independence and seamless integration with their Apple ecosystem. Experience seamless audio with Apple AirPods 4, designed for effortless pairing and exceptional sound quality. These wireless earbuds offer active noise cancellation, ensuring immersive listening in any environment. With intuitive touch controls and an ergonomic fit, they provide comfort during extended use. Enjoy up to 30 hours of battery life with the charging case. The 2024 MacBook Air, powered by the M3 chip, offers improved speed and efficiency. Its 13-inch Retina display provides stunning visuals, while the thin and lightweight design ensures portability. With up to 18 hours of battery life, this laptop is perfect for both work and entertainment without compromising performance. The 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch offers a larger display and M3 chip, combining ample screen space with advanced power. Perfect for productivity and media consumption, this laptop maintains Apple’s signature design with efficient performance and long-lasting battery life. The Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones offer exceptional sound quality with enhanced bass and a sleek design. Equipped with the Apple H1 chip, they provide seamless pairing with Apple devices, and up to 22 hours of battery life. Their comfortable fit and adjustable headband make them ideal for on-the-go use. The Apple 2022 MacBook Air with the M2 chip presents a balanced mix of performance and portability. With improved processing power, a thinner profile, and an excellent Retina display, it’s ideal for professionals and students alike who value efficiency. The 2024 Apple MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip offers a boost in performance and graphics power. Ideal for professionals, it provides superior computing speeds, enhanced battery life, and a stunning display, making it suitable for demanding workflows and creative tasks. Best Black Friday Amazon Beauty Deals The Dyson Airstrait Straightener is an innovative hair styling tool that uses a combination of heated air and advanced airflow technology to straighten hair without extreme heat. It offers quick, frizz-free results, protecting hair from heat damage. Its lightweight design and ergonomic features ensure comfort and ease of use. RELATED : The very best Black Friday deals The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer offers fast drying with intelligent heat control to prevent damage. Its powerful digital motor and unique design reduce frizz and promote smooth, shiny hair. With multiple heat and speed settings, it’s a must-have for salon-quality styling at home. Perfect for all hair types. COSRX Snail Mucin 92% Moisturizer is a hydrating skincare product designed to repair and rejuvenate skin. Packed with 92% snail mucin, it promotes moisture retention and helps improve skin texture. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, making it suitable for all skin types, especially dry or damaged skin, leaving it smooth and nourished. Brighten your smile with Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects, removing years of stains for a whiter smile. Take advantage of Black Friday discounts. Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Men’s Cologne offers a refreshing, invigorating fragrance with notes of melon, cucumber, and tangerine, blended with basil, sage, and thyme. Its light, airy scent exudes masculinity and sophistication, making it ideal for both casual and formal occasions. A timeless, versatile fragrance for modern men. AquaSonic Aqua Flosser The AquaSonic Aqua Flosser is a cordless, rechargeable water flosser designed to improve dental health with ease. Featuring multiple jet tips and a portable, waterproof design, it’s perfect for braces, implants, and travel. Take advantage of the 40% off Cyber Weekend deal to simplify your oral care routine and achieve a deeper clean. AquaSonic DUO PRO Electric Toothbrush Set The AquaSonic DUO PRO includes two ultra-whitening electric toothbrushes with 40,000 VPM motors, 10 ProFlex brush heads, and a UV sanitizing base for ultimate hygiene. With ADA acceptance and smart timers, it’s perfect for couples or families looking for professional-grade oral care. Cyber Weekend is the ideal time to grab this advanced set at a great value. Upgrade your oral care with the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5300 Electric Toothbrush, featuring three modes and a pressure sensor for healthier gums. Take advantage of Black Friday savings. TruSkin Vitamin C Serum is designed to rejuvenate and brighten skin, enhancing your natural glow. Formulated with potent antioxidants, it helps reduce signs of aging and uneven skin tone. The lightweight texture absorbs quickly, making it ideal for daily use. This serum supports a youthful complexion, promoting healthier skin overall. Olay Super Serum is a powerful skincare product designed to visibly reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. Formulated with peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, it deeply hydrates and firms the skin. This lightweight serum delivers results quickly, providing a smooth, youthful complexion with consistent use. A face cream that uses snail secretion to improve your skin? It might sound weird, but according to reviews, it works! With over 71,000 customer ratings on Amazon, the lightweight serum from COSRX is going viral for its repairing and rejuvenating abilities when it comes to face dryness and fine lines. Lanolips 101 Ointment Multi-Balm Duo is a versatile skincare solution for lips, face, and body. Made with natural lanolin, it deeply hydrates and nourishes skin, helping to heal dry patches. This set includes two balms that are perfect for on-the-go hydration. Ideal for sensitive, chapped skin. These under-eye patches are packed with hyaluronic acid to deliver deep hydration to the delicate eye area. The cloud-like gel texture helps reduce puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines, leaving skin feeling refreshed and smooth. Perfect for a bright, awake look, even after sleepless nights. The Lumineux Sonic Electric Toothbrush features advanced sonic technology for a deep, gentle clean that helps remove plaque while being tough on bacteria but gentle on gums. It has multiple cleaning modes and a long-lasting battery, making it a convenient and effective tool for oral health maintenance. REN Clean Skincare Glow Tonic is a gentle exfoliating toner that uses natural fruit acids to brighten and smooth skin. It promotes radiance, minimizes pores, and enhances texture, without harsh chemicals. Free from parabens and sulfates, it’s an excellent choice for sensitive skin in need of a glowing boost. Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo is designed to eliminate frizz while adding smoothness and shine to hair. Infused with patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA), it repels humidity and helps keep hair looking sleek all day. Safe for color-treated hair, this sulfate-free shampoo cleanses without stripping moisture. The Beard Hedger is a high-performance grooming tool tailored to beard care. It features a 20-length setting dial, making it easy to achieve the perfect beard length. With a powerful motor and precision blades, it offers a smooth, comfortable shave. The waterproof design adds convenience for quick trims. Moon Juice Magnesi-Om is a magnesium supplement designed to promote relaxation and support restful sleep. This blend of magnesium bisglycinate and magnesium citrate helps reduce stress, calm the nervous system, and encourage deep, restorative sleep. A great addition to nightly wellness routines for anyone looking to unwind. The Oral-B iO Deep Clean Rechargeable Toothbrush features cutting-edge artificial intelligence and pressure sensors to guide your brushing technique. It offers real-time feedback and personalized coaching for optimal oral care. With multiple modes and smart features, it ensures a thorough clean while protecting gums and teeth from over-brushing. Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder delivers a flawless finish while locking in makeup for long-lasting wear. This finely milled, lightweight powder blurs imperfections and controls shine without settling into fine lines. Available in multiple shades, it sets makeup with a soft-focus effect, ideal for both oily and dry skin. Lash Genius Conditioning Lash Serum by Anastasia Beverly Hills promotes longer, fuller lashes with regular use. Infused with nourishing ingredients, it strengthens and hydrates lashes, preventing breakage. This serum helps enhance the appearance of lashes naturally over time, delivering a softer, more voluminous look without mascara. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow Palette offers a versatile range of high-quality shades that blend seamlessly. With both matte and shimmer finishes, it allows for endless eye looks, from subtle to dramatic. Known for its rich pigmentation and buildable formula, this palette is ideal for creating custom eye styles. IGK GOOD BEHAVIOR Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray is a heat-activated treatment that smooths and protects hair from frizz and humidity. Infused with spirulina protein, it strengthens and restores hair, leaving it silky, shiny, and manageable. This vegan, cruelty-free spray is perfect for those looking to maintain smooth, frizz-free hair. Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips provide an effective and gentle solution for a brighter smile. These strips are formulated with natural ingredients to safely whiten teeth without causing sensitivity. They adhere firmly to teeth, offering targeted whitening results. Regular use helps maintain a white, healthy smile without harsh chemicals. The Sol de Janeiro Mist and Match Hair & Body Perfume Bundle is a luxurious collection of vibrant, tropical-inspired scents designed to uplift and transport you. Featuring versatile mists for both hair and body, this bundle offers long-lasting, irresistible fragrances that evoke sunny beaches, warm caramel, and exotic florals, perfect for everyday indulgence or layering with matching body creams. The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System is a versatile hair tool that transforms from a powerful hair dryer to a multi-styler with various attachments for curling, volumizing, and smoothing. Featuring no-heat-damage technology and adjustable heat and speed settings, it offers fast drying and styling for all hair types while regulating temperature to minimize heat exposure. Revlon One Step Volumizer The Revlon One Step Volumizer PLUS dries and styles hair for an easy, salon-approved blowout. With four different heat settings and a user-friendly handle, this brush will leave you with a shiny, voluminous mane in half the time. Multiple members of our commerce team swear by it. RELATED: Why the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer Brush is worth the hype These cooling eye masks are the perfect gift for birthdays, bachelorette parties, or wearing on the couch with your favorite TV show. Add them to your daily skincare routine to brighten, hydrate, and smooth away dark circles, helping you look refreshed and youthful. The gentle, vegan formula is sulfate-free and infused with sea moss to reduce puffiness, target fine lines, and firm the under-eye area. There’s no question about it — the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original is the only pimple patches we swear by. Not to be too TMI, but it’s so satisfying when all the gunk is drawn from your blemish the next morning. For more options, check out our expert-backed guide to the best pimple patches . One of the most replenishing cleansers is the Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser that’s now 25% off during Cyber Week. It’s an excellent makeup remover in the evenings, too. Best Black Friday Amazon Home Deals The BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner is a compact, powerful cleaning tool designed for tough stains and spills. Its lightweight design, combined with strong suction and stain-fighting formula, makes it ideal for carpets, upholstery, stairs, and even car interiors. Easy to use and portable. The Amazon Basics Suitcase offers reliable, budget-friendly luggage with a sleek, durable design. Featuring a hard-shell exterior, smooth-rolling wheels, and an expandable compartment for extra packing space, it provides convenience and practicality for travelers. Available in various sizes, it’s a great option for both short and long trips. The Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock is a multifunctional bedside device designed to improve your sleep and wake-up experience. 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This lightweight, 11-pound vacuum is ideal for low-pile carpets and bare floors, offering a 4.5-liter AirClean FilterBag, adjustable suction settings, and a range of accessories for comprehensive cleaning performance. The Dyson V11 offers powerful suction and intelligent cleaning with its Dynamic Load Sensor system, optimizing suction power across various floor types. Its cordless design and lightweight frame make it versatile and easy to maneuver. The LCD screen displays real-time performance, and its long battery life ensures thorough cleaning. Check out our roundup and reviews of the best vacuum cleaners on the market here . For a higher-powered option from Shark, look no further than the Navigator Lift-Away. This tough vacuum comes with a detachable pod that is released from the push of a button to clean above the floor. It’s also designed with anti-allergen technology and a HEPA filter to trapt dust and allergens and leaves you air fresher than ever. The iRobot Roomba Vac Robot Vacuum autonomously cleans floors with advanced navigation and smart mapping. It uses multi-surface brushes and powerful suction to tackle dirt, dust, and debris. Ideal for homes with pets, it can be scheduled, controlled via app, and adapts to various floor types for efficient cleaning. The Dyson V7 Advanced Cordless Stick Vacuum offers strong suction power in a lightweight design. It features a hygienic bin emptying mechanism and a versatile range of attachments for deep cleaning carpets, upholstery, and hard floors. With up to 30 minutes of runtime, it provides hassle-free, cordless cleaning for any home. The Tineco Floor ONE S5 combines wet and dry cleaning capabilities in one device, allowing simultaneous vacuuming and mopping. It features smart sensors that adjust suction power based on the floor type, ensuring effective cleaning. The cordless design and self-cleaning function offer ease of use and convenience for everyday chores. The Roborock Qrevo S Robot Vacuum and Mop is a 2-in-1 cleaning device that vacuums and mops simultaneously. Equipped with advanced LiDAR navigation, it creates precise cleaning maps and efficiently covers every room. With adjustable suction and water flow, it delivers tailored cleaning performance on both carpets and hard floors. The Jackery Solar Generator 300 provides portable power on the go. It includes a 100W solar panel for eco-friendly charging and features multiple output options for devices like phones, laptops, and small appliances. Compact and lightweight, it’s an ideal solution for outdoor adventures, camping, or emergency backup power needs. Snuggle up with the UGG Euphoria Plush Faux Fur Reversible Throw Blanket, offering ultimate softness and style for your home. Available during the Black Friday sales event. Share cherished memories with the Aura Digital Picture Frame, featuring a high-resolution display and unlimited photo storage. 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Offering wireless connectivity, it prints, scans, and copies with high-quality color output. Fast performance and a compact footprint make it ideal for home offices. User-friendly features streamline workflow, enhancing productivity while ensuring professional results for all documents. The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is tailored for pet owners, combining powerful suction with a lightweight design. Its removable battery offers extended runtime, and the specialized brushroll effectively captures pet hair. Easy to maneuver, this vacuum reaches tight spots and transforms into a handheld device for versatile cleaning. The LEVOIT Air Purifier ensures clean air in your home with its HEPA filter, which captures 99.97% of allergens and pollutants. Its compact design fits easily into any room, while the quiet operation makes it perfect for bedrooms. Smart features like filter reminders enhance usability and maintain optimal performance. The TOLOCO Massage Gun offers customizable massage experiences with multiple speed settings and interchangeable heads. Ideal for muscle recovery, it effectively relieves tension and soreness. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort during use, and the portable size makes it perfect for both home and travel, enhancing overall wellness wherever you go. The EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station serves as a reliable energy source for outdoor adventures or emergencies. With multiple output ports, it charges various devices simultaneously, from smartphones to small appliances. Its compact design enhances portability, while fast recharging capabilities ensure you’re always powered up and ready to go. The HiLIFE Steamer for Clothes provides a quick and efficient way to remove wrinkles from fabrics. Its compact design makes it ideal for home or travel use. The powerful steam penetrates fabric, ensuring a fresh look without the hassle of ironing. Fast heat-up time enhances convenience for busy lifestyles. The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 combines powerful performance with eco-friendly energy solutions. It provides reliable off-grid power for camping, emergencies, or outdoor activities. The included 200W solar panel efficiently captures sunlight, ensuring sustainable energy supply. Compact and user-friendly, it’s designed for versatility, enhancing your adventures and peace of mind. The Nectar 12-Inch Queen Mattress combines support and comfort with its multi-layer construction. Designed for all sleep positions, it features adaptive foam that contours to your body while minimizing motion transfer. With a breathable cover and cooling technology, it enhances sleep quality, providing a restorative experience for restful nights and energized mornings. The Dyson Hot+Cool AM09 Jet Focus Heater and Fan offers year-round climate control with innovative technology. It quickly heats or cools the room, providing a comfortable environment regardless of the season. Sleek and modern in design, it operates quietly and safely, featuring an easy-to-use remote for convenient adjustments at any time. The All-new Ring Battery Doorbell offers enhanced video quality with a 1080p HD resolution and two-way audio for clear communication. It features a removable battery pack for easy recharging. With motion detection and customizable alerts, it ensures home security while allowing remote access via the Ring app for peace of mind. The Ring Wired Doorbell Pro provides high-definition 1536p video and improved motion detection to enhance your home security. With features like advanced HDR, two-way audio, and customizable motion zones, it allows easy remote monitoring via the Ring app. The sleek, modern design integrates seamlessly into your home’s exterior. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus combines high-definition video quality with enhanced motion detection to deliver superior home security. With a 1536p HD video resolution, it captures detailed footage of visitors. The easy-to-install, battery-powered design offers flexibility, and you can monitor live feeds through the Ring app from anywhere. Frida Baby Thermometer provides quick, accurate temperature readings with a gentle, no-contact infrared sensor. Designed for infants and toddlers, it ensures a hassle-free experience during fever monitoring. The easy-to-read digital display and color-coded indicators help parents assess their child’s temperature at a glance. Ideal for home health care use. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X1 Omni offers advanced vacuuming and mopping capabilities in one device. Equipped with intelligent navigation, it efficiently cleans floors while mapping your home’s layout. The integrated mopping system removes dirt and grime, while powerful suction ensures a deep clean. Voice control and app compatibility enhance convenience. The Anker SOLIX F2000 Solar Generator offers portable, eco-friendly power solutions for outdoor adventures or emergencies. With a robust capacity, it charges multiple devices simultaneously. Its lightweight design and durable construction make it easy to transport. Compatible with solar panels, it harnesses renewable energy, promoting sustainability while providing reliable electricity whenever needed. The Solo Stove Mesa XL is a compact, smokeless tabletop fire pit that creates a warm, inviting ambiance. With its innovative design, it provides efficient heat output with minimal smoke, making it perfect for outdoor gatherings. The stainless steel construction ensures durability, while the portable size suits any space. Best Black Friday Amazon Travel Deals The Samsonite Omni 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels is a durable, scratch-resistant suitcase featuring a 100% polycarbonate shell, 360° spinner wheels, and expandable capacity for versatile travel needs. Available in various sizes, it offers TSA-approved locks, a 10-year warranty, and a USB charging port, combining style and functionality for both domestic and international journeys. trtl Travel Pillow The trtl Travel Pillow is an innovative neck support designed to provide comfort during long journeys, featuring a unique internal support system wrapped in soft fleece. Its lightweight, compact design makes it easy to pack and carry, offering superior neck and head support compared to traditional U-shaped travel pillows. Best Black Friday Amazon Tool Deals The DeWalt 20V MAX 5 Ah Lithium Ion Battery 2-Pack delivers reliable power for a range of tools. Designed for durability and longevity, these batteries are compatible with all 20V MAX tools. Featuring a built-in fuel gauge, users can easily monitor battery life, enhancing productivity and minimizing downtime on projects. Check out our roundup of the best DeWalt deals available on the internet here . The DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Drill/Driver Kit is a versatile tool for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike. Equipped with two powerful batteries, it ensures uninterrupted work. Its ergonomic design provides comfort during prolonged use, while multiple torque settings allow precise control for various materials, making every project efficient and effective. The LAZYBOI 21V Electric Cordless Leaf Blower offers powerful, quiet performance for yard cleaning tasks. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, it provides efficient blowing with its adjustable speed settings. 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This BOSCH 6-tool combo kit features essential power tools for a wide range of tasks. With a mix of drill, impact driver, saw, flashlight, and more, it’s ideal for both professionals and DIYers who need reliable, long-lasting tools in one convenient package. The BOSCH ROS20VSC Palm Sander offers smooth, swirl-free finishes thanks to its variable-speed control. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended use, while its dust collection system keeps your work area cleaner, making it a great choice for fine woodwork and surface prep. DeWalt’s 20V MAX combo kit includes a drill, impact driver and work light, perfect for various tasks. It features an ergonomic design, efficient brushless motors, and long-lasting battery life, making it a great choice for DIY projects. The DeWalt 20V MAX XR Jig Saw offers precise cutting with a high-performance brushless motor. 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The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a versatile countertop oven offering 13 cooking functions, including air frying, baking, broiling, and roasting. Its Element IQ technology ensures even cooking by adjusting the heat across four quartz elements. The spacious interior accommodates larger meals, and the LCD display simplifies operation. The Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker brews a variety of coffee styles using K-Cup pods. With a strong brew setting, it enhances flavor intensity for a richer cup. Featuring an iced coffee mode, it also has a 75oz water reservoir for fewer refills and fast, convenient brewing. Elevate your baking with the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, a versatile kitchen essential. Don’t miss this limited-time Black Friday offer. This HENCKELS knife set combines professional-grade craftsmanship and precision. Featuring high-carbon stainless steel blades, each knife is designed for durability and sharpness. The ergonomic handles ensure comfort during use. The included block offers safe storage and easy access, making this set perfect for home chefs or culinary enthusiasts. The Ninja CREAMi Deluxe makes homemade frozen desserts a breeze, offering 11 versatile functions to create everything from ice cream to sorbet. Its powerful motor ensures smooth textures, while the intuitive controls allow for precise consistency adjustments. Ideal for crafting personalized frozen treats with ease and convenience. Check out our review of the Ninja CREAMi here . The Caraway Cookware+ Collection offers a premium cooking experience with non-toxic ceramic-coated pots and pans. The set features a sleek design and is free from harmful chemicals like PTFE, PFOA, and PFAS. With its even heat distribution, it ensures healthier cooking while being easy to clean and maintain. Best Black Friday Amazon Tech and TV Deals The Google Pixel 9 Pro boasts cutting-edge features with a sleek design. 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The Samsung 55-Inch Class QLED 4K LS03D The Frame Series Smart TV combines stunning picture quality with a unique design that doubles as a customizable art display. Featuring Quantum HDR, anti-reflection matte technology, and 100% Color Volume, it delivers vibrant visuals while seamlessly blending into your decor with interchangeable bezels and a slim-fit wall mount. The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition features a 6.8-inch display with adjustable warm light and a waterproof design. With 32 GB of storage, it holds thousands of books, and its extended battery life provides weeks of reading. Enhanced with wireless charging, it’s ideal for avid readers seeking convenience and portability. The TCL 98-Inch Q65 QLED TV offers breathtaking picture quality with vivid colors and sharp details. Equipped with 4K resolution and Dolby Vision, it enhances cinematic experiences. 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The GTPLAYER Gaming Chair is a versatile and ergonomic seating solution designed for gamers and office workers alike. Featuring a racing-style design with adjustable lumbar support, headrest pillow, and retractable footrest, it offers customizable comfort for extended gaming or work sessions. The chair boasts a sturdy construction with a weight capacity of 300 pounds, breathable fabric or PU leather options, and a reclining function up to 165 degrees for ultimate relaxation. The ACEMAGIC Laptop offers powerful performance in a sleek design, featuring an Intel 12th Gen or AMD Ryzen processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD for smooth multitasking and ample storage. With a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, long-lasting battery, and Windows 11 pre-installed, it’s ideal for both work and entertainment, balancing affordability with impressive specs for everyday computing needs. 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Ticket to Ride First Journey is a kid-friendly version of the classic railway-building board game. Simplified rules and shorter gameplay make it accessible for younger players while maintaining the fun of collecting train cards and claiming routes. It’s a great introduction to strategy games for families and children. Hasbro Gaming’s Scattergories Classic Game challenges players to think quickly and creatively. Players must come up with words that fit specific categories, all starting with the same letter. This fast-paced game is perfect for parties and family gatherings, providing endless fun and laughter as players race to beat the clock. The CATAN Board Game 5-6 Player Extension expands the classic game of CATAN, allowing for more players and even more competitive fun. With additional resource cards, settlements, roads, and cities, this extension provides an enhanced experience for groups of 5-6 players, making it ideal for larger family or friend gatherings. Your Black Friday FAQs, answered by shopping experts Some, though not all, stores and retailers extend Black Friday sales into the weekend. But hurry, because the best items, sizes and colors frequently sell out before sales actually end. This year, the online shopping holiday Cyber Monday takes place on Monday, December 2 , 2024. The short answer is, it depends. Some retailers approach Black Friday and Cyber Monday differently, discounting various brands and products throughout the days after Thanksgiving, sometimes at different price points. Traditionally, Cyber Monday offers retailers an opportunity to drop deeper discounts on already on-sale products. However, consumers should take caution: waiting for Cyber Monday is a risk that products, or certain sizes or models, may sell out. Conversely, some stores don’t differentiate between their Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Jet-setters rejoice: Travel Tuesday , with its great deals on flights, hotels, cruises, all-inclusives, and more, will take place on Tuesday, December 3 , 2024. Right here! Follow Post Wanted shopping coverage for all the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday deals worth your coin in 2024. Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post This article was written by P.J. McCormick , New York Post Commerce Deals Writer/Reporter. P.J. is an expert deal-finder , sifting through endless brands and retailers to deliver only the best savings opportunities on truly worthwhile products. P.J. finds Prime Day -worthy deals all year long on some of our favorite products we’ve tested and our readers’ beloved best-sellers, from Wayfair furniture sales to the lowest prices on Apple AirPods . P.J. has been scouring sales for Post Wanted shoppers since 2022 and previously held positions at Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and Hyperallergic. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change. Looking for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping Post Wanted .Sinn Fein actively pursuing route into government, insists leader McDonald
Billionare Gautam Adani today addressed the 51st India Gem & Jewellery Awards in Jaipur. During his speech, Mr Adani responded to the legal matter involving the US Department of Justice. He also spoke about how he made his first commission of Rs 10,000. Here is his full speech: "It is an honour to stand before you today at the 51st India Gem & Jewellery Awards. This is a celebration of India's remarkable heritage in craftsmanship and innovation. My sincere congratulations to all the awardees whose exceptional efforts have carried forward India's rich legacy in jewellery. For centuries, India has been recognized as the undisputed leader in the space of gemstones and as the nation of unmatched artisans. Jewellery in our culture is not just ornamental - it is deeply symbolic, a marker of heritage, emotion, and aspiration. Your work has kept this tradition alive and relevant in an ever-changing world. This industry is a powerhouse, providing employment to over five million Indians - a figure comparable to the workforce of our IT sector. Surat, as the global epicentre of diamond cutting and polishing, employs over a million skilled workers. This industry is not just an economic driver; it is a source of pride for our nation. However, with great success comes an even greater responsibility: to innovate, expand, and lead courageously in the face of disruption. My dear friends, India is the jewel in the global crown of the cut-and-polished diamond market, holding 26.5% of the share, and silver jewellery at 30%. But the recent 14% decline in exports is more than a statistic - it is a wake-up call. It signals a turning point where challenges, both temporary and permanent, demand that we reimagine our approach. We are at the start of a revolution. Sustainability and technology - two forces reshaping industries worldwide - are now at our doorstep. The rise of lab-grown diamonds, the demand for transparency and ethical practices, shifting consumer priorities, and the digital wave are not just disrupting the status quo; they are creating a new blueprint necessary for success. This is therefore our moment to lead. The industry must think differently, act urgently, and innovate courageously. Today's inflection point must be turned into an era of unprecedented opportunity for growth. My dear friends, Allow me to narrate a story to set some context. Over a decade ago, during a trip to California, I saw my first lab-grown diamond. The founder had enthusiastically shared his vision, confident this was the start of a revolution in the jewellery industry. And he was right. As we now know, lab-grown diamonds have evolved from a scientific wonder to a market disruptor. Today, they are officially recognized by the US Federal Trade Commission as real diamonds. These diamonds now cost significantly less than the natural diamonds. Advances in Artificial Intelligence and material science are pushing their quality and precision even further. It's not far-fetched to imagine a future where we design our own diamonds - specifying every detail, from cut to colour, clarity, and carat weight - making each piece uniquely personal. This is the future we must embrace. Also, beyond traditional gems, the concept of jewellery itself is shifting. Watches, smartphones, and wearables are becoming the new personal status symbols, redefining luxury. Younger generations, in particular, are preferring technology and experiences over conventional luxury goods. Another trend reshaping the market is the growing demand for unique, customized pieces, sparking a rise in custom design services. With technologies like 3D printing, CAD software, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality, the process of designing, manufacturing, and experiencing jewellery is on the brink of transformation. These trends force us to rethink what we produce. They challenge us to create deeper emotional and traditional connections in line with changing consumer needs and behaviours. It is this spirit of transformation that I want to explore today - what it truly means to Break the Status Quo. Only by challenging the status quo can we unlock new opportunities and shape the future. My dear friends, Let me start with a personal story about the first time that I broke the status quo. This story holds a very special place in my heart. It laid the foundation of who I was to become. Diamond trading was my entry point into the journey I took to become an entrepreneur. In the year 1978, at the age of 16, I left my school, left my home in Ahmedabad, and took a one-way ticket to Mumbai. I had no idea what I would do but I was clear that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. And I believed Mumbai was the city of opportunities that would give me this chance. I got my first opportunity at Mahendra Brothers, where I learned the art of diamond assorting. Even today, I recall the joy of closing my first deal. It was a transaction with a Japanese buyer and I got a commission of 10,000 rupees. That day marked the start of a journey that would shape the way I would live my life as an entrepreneur. I also learned that trading makes a great teacher. What I learned, as a teenager, was that trading does not come with safety nets. In fact, it is a discipline where you must find the courage to fly without any protective nets. You must learn to take the jump and trust your own wings. In this field, hesitation is the difference between winning and losing. Each decision is a test, not just against the market, but against the limits of your own mind. Trading also taught me another priceless lesson. Too much of an attachment to outcomes limits your ability to challenge the status quo. Therefore, my dear friends, To accept the status quo is to settle for a destiny where you stop questioning, stop dreaming, and stop exploring your own potential. The Adani Group stands where it is today because we are not afraid to challenge ourselves. We continuously redefined our boundaries, refused to accept limits, and were comfortable with the discomfort of change. Our journey has been built on the foundation of grit, and a relentless drive to overcome challenges. As I said earlier, I got to Mumbai when I was 16. But, in 1981, just as I turned 19, I was called back to Ahmedabad to help with my family's polymer business. India, at that time, faced a great shortage of raw materials given the intense import controls. I saw, first hand, the struggles that every small-scale industry faced. And then, it was in 1985, under the leadership of Shri Rajiv Gandhi, that India began to take its first steps towards economic liberalization. I saw an early opportunity in these changes, especially with the relaxation of import policies for industries facing raw material shortages. While I had no prior experience in trading polymers, I still took a calculated risk and established a trading organization focused on imports. By 1990, my trading venture was performing well, but then India itself faced a critical moment. The massive foreign exchange crisis of 1991 threatened the entire economy, ultimately leading to a wave of economic reforms initiated by Prime Minister Shri PV Narasimha Rao and then Finance Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. These reforms dismantled the License Raj, opened up the economy to foreign investments, and reduced import tariffs. I saw, in this transformation of the Indian business landscape an opportunity to scale further. In 1991 itself, at the age of 29, I established a global trading house, expanding into polymers, metals, textiles, and agricultural products. In just two years, we became India's largest global trading house, proving that the combination of speed and scale is a powerful driver of growth. However, while the import-export business did very well, I had started questioning the status quo. I began realizing that for the next phase of growth I would need to own assets and build something lasting. In other words, I had to challenge everything I knew. Remember, I had no experience in building anything. We had not even laid a single brick in our life. But opportunities show up for those that seek. And it was in 1995 that a transformative opportunity emerged when the BJP-led Gujarat government announced its port-led industrial development plan under a Public-Private- Partnership mode. To summarize a long story, we quickly moved to establish Mundra Port. This transition, about 30 years back, was the start of our journey into the domain of infrastructure. My dear friends, I tell my team all the time that the future belongs to those who dare to see beyond the present and who recognize that today's limits are tomorrow's starting points. Therefore: - as we took these journeys going beyond our comfort zone, we discovered other new possibilities. Had we remained satisfied with the status quo, these new and adjacent opportunities would have never come our way. Let me now outline a few examples. In the case of logistics, what started as a port jetty, to import coal in 1998, has gone on to become the country's largest port business. This business today - spans a network of 15 national and 5 international ports and thereby allowing us to expand into building a network of integrated logistic nodes. These nodes now are made up of ports, rail, highways, warehouses, inland container depots, fulfilment centres, and trucking in a way no other company has ever achieved in the world. This journey has taken us deep into the Middle East - all the way into the Mediterranean through Israel - and into the heart of Africa. For me, it is no more just about ports. It is now about leveraging India's geographic location and doing our part to help make our nation become the centre of the logistics world. Likewise, what started as a single power plant in 2007, has now become not just India's largest private thermal power generation company but has also allowed us to expand into adjacencies. This expansion has seen us become India's largest private transmission company, largest private power distribution company, largest mine developer and operator, as well as the only company that successfully took up the challenge of cross-border supply of power to help a neighbouring nation. Furthermore, it has allowed us to move into the area of renewable energy. Today, we are India's largest solar panel manufacturing company as well as the world's largest single-site renewable energy facility, well on our way to generate 30 GW of power, spread over a massive single span of land of more than 500 square kilometres. Yet another example of challenging the status quo is our move into the airport business. In less than three years, we became the largest airport operator in the country. We then built our adjacencies that made us the largest airport logistics player with almost 40% of India's air cargo and have now undertaken the world's largest slum redevelopment initiative, the Dharavi project. And, I must add here that, for me, Dharavi is not just about slum redevelopment. It is about restoring dignity, creating a sustainable ecosystem, and changing the status quo for over one million residents. My dear friends, Looking back, while we have had our successes, our challenges have been even bigger. However, these challenges have not broken us. Instead, they have defined us. They have made us tougher and give us the unshakeable belief that after every fall, we will rise again, stronger, and more resilient than before. Let me talk about three examples. First - In 2010, when we were investing in a coal mine in Australia, our objective was clear: How to make India energy secure - and replace every two tons of poor-quality Indian coal with one ton of high-quality coal from Australia? However, the resistance from NGOs was huge and lasted almost a decade. In fact, it was so intense that we ended up funding the entire project of 10 billion dollars with our own equity. While we now have a world class operating mine in Australia and it could be seen as a great sign of our resilience, the fact is that 100% equity funding took away over 30 billion dollars of debt financing from our green energy projects. The next example is from January last year, just as we were getting ready to launch our Follow-on Public Offering. We faced a short-selling attack initiated from abroad. This was not a typical financial strike; it was a double hit - targeting our financial stability and pulling us into a political controversy. All of this was further amplified by certain media with vested interests. But even in the face of such adversity, our commitment to our principles remained strong. After successfully raising 20,000 crore rupees from India's largest-ever FPO, we made the extraordinary decision to return the proceeds. We then further demonstrated our resilience by raising capital from several international sources and proactively reducing our Debt to EBITDA ratio to below 2.5 times, an unmatched metric in the global infrastructure space. Moreover, our all-time record financial results in the same year showcased our commitment to operational excellence. Not a single Indian or foreign credit rating agency downgraded us. Finally, the Supreme Court of India's affirmation of our actions validated our approach. The third example is very recent. As most of you would have read, less than two weeks back, we faced a set of allegations from the US about compliance practices at Adani Green Energy. This is not the first time we have faced such challenges. What I can tell you is that every attack makes us stronger and every obstacle becomes a stepping stone for a more resilient Adani Group. The fact is that despite a lot of the vested reporting, no one from the Adani side has been charged with any violation of the FCPA or any conspiracy to obstruct justice. Yet, in today's world, negativity spreads faster than facts - and as we work through the legal process, I want to re-confirm our absolute commitment to world class regulatory compliance. My dear friends, Over the years, I have come to accept that the roadblocks we face are the price of pioneering. The more bold your dreams, the more the world will scrutinize you. But it is precisely in that scrutiny that you must find the courage to rise, to challenge the status quo, and to build a path where none exists. To pioneer is to embrace the unknown, to break limits, and to believe in your vision even when the world cannot yet see it. Therefore, as I conclude, let me leave you with three guiding thoughts: First, Embrace technology and sustainability as the twin pillars of progress. These are not just trends - they are the foundation of our future. Your success will depend entirely on how boldly and at what scale you integrate these forces into your work. Technology will accelerate possibilities, while sustainability will ensure that your growth is enduring and responsible. Together, they represent the compass for a better tomorrow. Second, Empower and uplift the skilled workforce at the heart of our transformation. These craftsmen and artisans are the custodians of India's rich heritage, carrying forward skills passed down through generations. But for their talents to thrive in the modern world, they need access to new tools, digital platforms, and innovative training. Imagine an ecosystem where a craftsman from a small town uses digital design software to create, market, and sell globally. This is the blend of tradition and technology we must champion. And finally, The future belongs to our youth. The younger generation brings fresh ideas, unshakeable energy, and a willingness to disrupt the old ways of thinking. We must nurture them, and equip them to balance tradition with transformation, culture with innovation, and legacy with sustainability. They are not just participants in the future - they are its architects. Together, let us create an India where the wisdom of tradition, and the promise of innovation come together to challenge the status quo. And let us move forward with confidence to create a future where India's gems illuminate the world with their brilliance. Wish you all the best, Thank you. Jai Hind"YouTube users convinced powerful new feature will change how videos are watched
St. Thomas defeats Montana 88-81 behind 22 points each from Kendall Blue and Nolan MinessaleWASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday passed a $895 billion measure that authorizes a 1% increase in defense spending this fiscal year and would give a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military. The bill is traditionally strongly bipartisan, but some Democratic lawmakers opposed the inclusion of a ban on transgender medical treatments for children of military members if such treatment could result in sterilization. It passed by a vote of 281-140 and next moves to the Senate, where lawmakers sought a bigger boost in defense spending than the current measure allows. The Pentagon and the surrounding area is seen Jan. 26, 2020, from the air in Washington. Lawmakers are touting the bill's 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others as key to improving the quality of life for those serving in the U.S. military. Those serving as junior enlisted personnel are in pay grades that generally track with their first enlistment term. People are also reading... 2 Statesville men face murder charges in 2011 shooting death of Joey Brewer Iredell County deputies charge 7 people in drug trafficking investigation 3 men face arson charges in Statesville house fire that severely burned woman Iredell-Statesville Schools OK $3.3 million in stadium upgrades at Lake Norman High School Woman charged with stabbing car dealership employee on test drive in Mooresville Hear the songs, see Santa at Sunday's Statesville Christmas Parade Families prepare for mass deportations: 'A sad and painful time' Get to know Mooresville basketball player Cadence Lane Top vote-getter Houpe: Why am I not chairman of Iredell board of commissioners? Colombia native brings tastes of his homeland to downtown Statesville 4 pounds of marijuana, gun seized by Mooresville police officers Statesville native's book offers clues to 5 hidden treasures Iredell deputies charge Catawba County men with stealing Duke Energy wire H&W Drug, owned by Haupt family for nearly 100 years, closes in Newton McKinnon breaks record, Arnold shows offensive burst in Lake Norman’s hot start Lawmakers said service member pay failed to remain competitive with the private sector, forcing many military families to rely on food banks and government assistance programs to put food on the table. The bill also provides significant new resources for child care and housing. "No service member should have to live in squalid conditions and no military family should have to rely on food stamps to feed their children, but that's exactly what many of our service members are experiencing, especially the junior enlisted," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "This bill goes a long way to fixing that." The bill sets key Pentagon policy that lawmakers will attempt to fund through a follow-up appropriations bill. The overall spending tracks the numbers established in a 2023 agreement that then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reached with President Joe Biden to increase the nation's borrowing authority and avoid a federal default in exchange for spending restraints. Many senators had wanted to increase defense spending some $25 billion above what was called for in that agreement, but those efforts failed. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who is expected to serve as the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the overall spending level was a "tremendous loss for our national defense," though he agreed with many provisions within the bill. "We need to make a generational investment to deter the Axis of Aggressors. I will not cease work with my congressional colleagues, the Trump administration, and others until we achieve it," Wicker said. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., speaks with reporters Nov. 21 on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans don't want to go above the McCarthy-Biden agreement for defense spending and are looking to go way below it for many non-defense programs. They are also focused on cultural issues. The bill prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and prohibits TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children under 18 if that treatment could result in sterilization. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, said minors dealing with gender dysphoria is a "very real problem." He said the treatments available, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, have proven effective at helping young people dealing with suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression. "These treatments changed their lives and in many cases saved their lives," Smith said. "And in this bill, we decided we're going to bar service members' children from having access to that." Smith said the number of minors in service member families receiving transgender medical care extends into the thousands. He could have supported a study asking medical experts to determine whether such treatments are too often used, but a ban on health insurance coverage went too far. He said Speaker Mike Johnson's office insisted on the ban and said the provision "taints an otherwise excellent piece of legislation." Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called the ban a step in the right direction, saying, "I think these questions need to be pulled out of the debate of defense, so we can get back to the business of defending the United States of America without having to deal with social engineering debates." Smith said he agrees with Roy that lawmakers should be focused on the military and not on cultural conflicts, "and yet, here it is in this bill." Branden Marty, a Navy veteran who served for 13 years, said the loss of health coverage for transgender medical treatments could prompt some with valuable experience to leave the military, affecting national security because "we already struggle from a recruiting and retention standpoint." He also said the bill could regularly force service members into difficult choices financially. "It will be tough for a lot of them because of out-of-pocket expenses, especially enlisted members who we know already struggle with food insecurity," said Marty, the father of a transgender teenager. "They don't get paid very much, so they're going to be making a lot of choices on a day-to-day, tactical level." Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said his team did not tell Democrats how to vote on the bill. "There's a lot of positive things in the National Defense Authorization Act that were negotiated in a bipartisan way, and there are some troubling provisions in a few areas as well," Jeffries said. Overall, 81 Democrats voted for the bill and 124 against it. On the Republican side, 200 voted for the bill and 16 against it. "It's disappointing to see 124 of my Democrat colleagues vote against our brave men and women in uniform over policies that have nothing to do with their intended mission," Johnson, R-La., said. The defense policy bill also looks to strengthen deterrence against China. It calls for investing $15.6 billion to build military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Biden administration requested about $10 billion. On Israel, the bill, among other things, includes an expansion of U.S. joint military exercises with Israel and a prohibition on the Pentagon citing casualty data from Hamas. The defense policy bill is one of the final measures that lawmakers view as a must-pass before making way for a new Congress in January. U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors Rising threats from debt collectors against members of the U.S. armed forces are undermining national security, according to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal watchdog that protects consumer rights. To manage the impact of financial stress on individual performance, the Defense Department dedicates precious resources to improving financial literacy, so service members know the dangers of notorious no-credit-check loans. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities,” said Andrew Cohen, the director of financial readiness in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. But debt collectors are gaining ground. Last quarter, debt collection complaints by U.S. military service members increased 24% , and attempts to collect on “debts not owed” surged 40%. Complaints by service members against debt collectors for deceptive practices ballooned from 1,360 in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 1,833 in the first quarter of 2024. “There’s a connection between the financial readiness and the readiness of a service member to perform their duty,” said Jim Rice, Assistant Director, Office of Servicemember Affairs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Laws exist to protect the mission readiness of U.S. troops from being compromised by threats and intimidation, but debt collectors appear to be violating them at an alarming pace. “If they’re threatening to call your commander or get your security clearance revoked, that’s illegal,” says Deborah Olvera, financial readiness manager at Wounded Warriors Project, and a military spouse who’s been harassed herself by a collection agency that tried to extort money from her for a debt she didn’t owe. But after she requested the name of the original creditor, she never heard from them again. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities.” —Andrew Cohen, Director of Financial Readiness at the Pentagon Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, it’s illegal for debt collectors to threaten to contact your boss or have you arrested because it violates your financial privacy. The FDCPA also prohibits debt collectors from making false, deceptive, or misleading representations in connection with the collection of a debt, even for borrowers with bad credit scores. But according to the data, debt collectors are increasingly ignoring those rules. “Debt collection continues to be one of the top consumer complaint categories,” said a spokesperson at the Federal Trade Commission. The commission released a report earlier this year revealing that consumers were scammed $10 billion in 2023, a new benchmark for fraud losses. In his book Debt: The First 5,000 Years, David Graeber argues that debt often creates a relationship that can feel more oppressive than systems of hierarchy, like slavery or caste systems because it starts by presuming equality between the debtor and the creditor. When the debtor falls into arrears, that equality is then destroyed. This sense of betrayal and the subsequent imbalance of power leads to widespread resentment toward lenders. Most Menacing Loan Messengers Photo Credit: Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock The debt collector reportedly harassing military service members most was Resurgent Capital Services, a subsidiary of collection giant Sherman Financial Group. The company tacks on accrued interest and junk fees and tries to collect on debts purchased for pennies on the dollar from cable companies, hospitals, and credit card companies, among others. Sherman Financial Group is run by billionaire Benjamin Navarro, who has a reported net worth of $1.5 billion, according to Forbes. Sherman Financial also owns subprime lender Credit One Bank and LVNV Funding, which outsource collections to Resurgent Capital. According to CFPB data, the second worst offender is CL Holdings, the parent company of debt-buyer Jefferson Capital Systems. The company has also been named in numerous complaints to the Better Business Bureau for alleged violations of the FDCPA, such as failing to properly validate debts or update credit reports with accurate information. Under the leadership of CEO David Burton, Jefferson Capital Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CompuCredit Corporation, which markets subprime credit cards under the names Aspire, Majestic, and others. The third most referenced debt collector is publicly traded Portfolio Recovery Associates [NASDAQ: PRAA], which was forced to pay $27 million in penalties for making false representations about debts, initiating lawsuits without proper documentation, and other violations. Portfolio Recovery Associates is run by CEO Vikram Atal. Fourth place for alleged worst offender goes to Encore Capital Group [NASDAQ ECPG], which was required to pay $42 million in consumer refunds and a $10 million penalty for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Encore collects under its subsidiary Midland Credit Management Group. These debt collectors all operate under a veritable shell game of company and brand names, almost none of which are disclosed on their websites, sending consumers on a wild goose chase to try and figure out how they’re related to each other. But despite their attempts to hide their tracks behind a smoke screen of subsidiaries, a leopard can’t change its spots, and the CFPB complaint database makes it harder for them to try. Loan Harassment Hotspots Photo Credit: Bumble Dee / Shutterstock Although widely considered a consumer-friendly state, complaints spiked most in California, which saw a 188% increase in complaints filed from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. California is home to 157,367 military personnel, making it the most populous state for active-duty service members. The second-largest increase in debt collection complaints was in Texas, which saw a 66% jump from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. The U.S. Department of Defense reports 111,005 service members stationed in the Lone Star State, which is the third-most populous state for active-duty military. The rising trends do not correlate to the number of military personnel by state. Complaints against debt collectors in Virginia, the second most populous state with 126,145 active duty personnel, decreased by 29% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. And complaints filed quarter-over-quarter in North Carolina, the fifth most populous state with 91,077 military personnel, decreased by 3% in the same period. The third largest percentage increase in debt collection complaints was from service members stationed in Maryland, where alleged harassment reports jumped 112% from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. Maryland ranks number 12 with just 28,059 active duty service members. Fourth place goes to Ohio – the 28th most populous active-duty state – where complaints doubled, followed by Arizona – the 15th most populous military state – where complaints were up 70% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. Billionaire Bets on Bad Credit Photo Credit: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / Shutterstock In 2007, Congress passed the Military Lending Act to cap the cost of credit to a 36% annual percentage rate, inclusive of junk fees and late charges, for active duty military service members. That rate is still considerably higher than average credit card rates, which range from 8% for borrowers with excellent credit scores to as high as 36% for borrowers with bad credit. But lenders still get hauled into court for violating the MLA. Don Hankey, the billionaire subprime auto lender who funded Donald Trump’s $175 million appeal bond , is among those violators. His company, Westlake Financial, which markets high-interest car loans for bad credit, has been sued twice by the Department of Justice for harassing military service members. In 2017, the DoJ alleged Hankey’s Westlake Financial illegally repossessed at least 70 vehicles owned by military service members. Westlake Financial paid $700,000 to settle the charges. In 2022, Westlake Financial paid $250,000 for allegedly cheating U.S. troops out of interest rates they were legally entitled to. Westlake Financial continues to receive complaints from military service members alleging abusive debt collection practices on its no-credit-check loans. A steady year-over-year increase in the number of complaints filed against Westlake Financial continued from 2020 to 2023. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau data shows a 13% increase in the number of complaints against the company from 2020 to 2021, a 28% increase from 2021 to 2022, and a torrential 119% surge from 2022 to 2023. The numbers suggest systemic complaint-handling processes and inadequate customer service resources. Lenders Try to Shutter CFPB Photo Credit: Cynthia Shirk / Shutterstock On May 16, 2024, a deceptively named predatory lending industry front group dubbed the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) lost a legal attempt to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In an effort to deprive Americans of essential consumer protections, the lobby group argued that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure was unconstitutional. But the Supreme Court denied its claim. In a 7-2 ruling, the Court held that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure is indeed constitutional. That means the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cannot be defunded, but it does not mean the agency cannot be defanged. The New York Times suggested that Hankey’s incentive to finance Trump’s $175 million bond could have been a reciprocity pledge to neuter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if Trump wins the upcoming U.S. presidential election. If Trump wins a second term, he could replace Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Rohit Chopra, an American consumer advocate, with a predatory lending advocate. In 2020, the Trump Administration secured a Supreme Court ruling that made it easier for the president to fire the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The ruling struck down previous restrictions on when a president can fire the bureau’s director. Like other federal agencies, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has also been confronted for overstepping its bounds, pushing too far, and acting unfairly against entities it regulates. Holidays, Interest Rates Not to Blame Photo Credit: Lux Blue / Shutterstock Seasonality and rising interest rates do not explain the increase in debt collection complaints from service members. The surge in complaints is not tied to predictable seasonal fluctuations or changes in interest rates. The increase in debt collection complaints by service members may point to underlying systemic issues, such as aggressive and predatory debt collection practices that exploit the unique financial vulnerabilities of service members, who face frequent relocations and deployments. Debt Complaints by Service Members From Q1 2021 to Q4 2022 Up 4% From Q4 2022 to Q1 2023 Up 6% From Q4 2023 to Q1 2024 Up 24% The 24% spike in debt collection complaints exhibits no correlation to fluctuations in interest rates. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates From 3.08% in Q4 2021 to 3.82% in Q1 2022 From 6.66% in Q4 2022 to 6.37% in Q1 2023 From 7.30% in Q1 2023 to 6.75% in Q4 2024 Pandemic stimulus checks were also not a factor. COVID-19 relief benefit checks went through three major rounds during the pandemic. The final round of Economic Impact Payments went out in March 2021 . To better understand the rising trend of debt collection complaints, we calculated the increase in the total number of complaints and the percentage increase quarter-over-quarter. For example, New Jersey has the second largest percentage increase in complaints quarter-over-quarter, but the total number of complaints increased by just 16. Methodology The data for this study was sourced from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint database. The dataset specifically targeted complaints filed by U.S. military service members, identified using the tag “Servicemember” within Q4 2023 and Q1 2024. Readers can find the detailed research methodology underlying this news story in the accompanying section here . For complete results, see U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors on BadCredit.org . Veteran homelessness is on the rise despite government efforts—here's how it happens Veteran homelessness is on the rise despite government efforts—here's how it happens Homelessness reached record levels in 2023, as rents and home prices continued to rise in most of the U.S. One group was particularly impacted: people who have served in the U.S. military. "This time last year, we knew the nation was facing a deadly public health crisis," Jeff Olivet, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, said in a statement about the 2023 numbers. He said the latest homelessness estimates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development "confirms the depth of the crisis." At least 35,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2023, according to HUD. While that's about half of what it was in 2009—when the organization began collecting data—things have plateaued in recent years despite active efforts to get that number to zero. Although they make up just 6.6% of the total homeless population, veterans are more likely to be at risk of homelessness than Americans overall. Of every 10,000 Americans, 20 were experiencing homelessness. Of veterans living in the United States, that number jumps to 22, HUD data shows. Complicated by bureaucracy, family dynamics, and prejudice, the path from serving in the military to homelessness is a long one. According to a 2022 study by Yale School of Medicine researchers, homelessness typically occurs within four years of leaving the military, as veterans must contend with the harsh reality of finding a job in a world where employers struggle to see how skills on the battlefield transfer to a corporate environment. These days, veterans also deal with historically high rent and home prices, which causes many to rely on family generosity while figuring out a game plan. Stacker examined academic studies, analyzed government data, and spoke with members of the Biden administration, experts, and former members of the armed forces to see the struggles members of the military face when leaving the armed forces. Veterans struggle to find a path forward The Department of Veterans Affairs offers transition assistance to the roughly 250,000 service members who leave each year. However, those programs can be burdensome and complex to navigate, especially for those who don't have a plan for post-military life. Only a small portion of veterans have jobs lined up when they leave, according to 2019 Pew Research. Many also choose to live with relatives until they get on their feet, which can be longer than anticipated. Some former service members are unsure what kind of career they'd like to pursue and may have to get further education or training, Carl Castro, director of the Military and Veteran Programs at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California, told Stacker. "It takes years for that kind of transition," Castro said. Many have trouble finding a job after leaving the service, even if they are qualified. Some employers carry misconceptions about those who have served. A 2020 analysis from the journal Human Resource Management Review found that some veterans face hiring discrimination due to negative stereotypes that lead hiring managers to write them off as a poor culture fit. Underemployment, or working low-wage jobs below their skill level, is also an issue. While the unemployment rate for veterans was 3% in March 2024, a study released by Penn State at the end of 2023 found three years after leaving the service, 61% of veterans said they were underemployed because of perceived skill mismatches . This phenomenon can have long-term economic effects, and eventually, that frustration can boil over, strain relationships, and potentially lead to housing instability. Working, especially a low-wage job, is not protection against homelessness. A 2021 study from the University of Chicago found half of people living in homeless shelters and 2 in 5 unsheltered people were employed, full or part-time. Vets with mental health issues most at risk for homelessness For veterans, housing costs certainly play a role, but those who leave the military also face systemic barriers. "It's worrying there are people that continue to fall through the cracks," said Jeanette Yih Harvie, a research associate at Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Just under a quarter of adults experiencing homelessness have a severe mental illness , according to 2022 HUD survey data. They are also likely to have chronic illnesses but are unable to maintain preventative care, which only exacerbates these problems. Veterans facing homelessness are more likely to have experienced trauma , either before or after joining the military, according to Yale researchers who analyzed the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Childhood trauma was among the most significant commonalities among vets who become homeless. Substance use disorder is also widespread and can indicate an undiagnosed mental illness . Racial and ethnic disparities are at play, too. A 2023 study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research showed that Hispanic and Black veterans were more likely to screen positive for PTSD, and Hispanic veterans were more likely to report having suicidal ideation. Overall, access to mental health care has improved in the last decade or so. In December 2023, the VA announced it would open nine additional counseling centers. However, the stigma of getting help remains, especially after years of being conditioned to be self-reliant and pull oneself up by their bootstraps. That help, in the form of public policy, is slowly working to catch up to the need. In 2023, the Biden administration invested millions into research programs and studies on suicide prevention by the VA office in addition to a proposed $16 billion to improve quality and lower-cost mental health care services for veterans. And, in February of this year, HUD and the VA announced they would give up to $14 million in vouchers to public housing agencies for veterans experiencing homelessness. The program would also offer case management and other services. Still, with a culture that pushes people to keep going, it can be challenging for servicemembers to take advantage of these opportunities, Harvie said. "When you've been doing that for the last 15 or 20 years, it's difficult to stop and say, 'I'm the person that needs help.'" Story editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. 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