NoneA former employee of microchip machine manufacturer ASML has been banned from entering the Netherlands for a period of 20 years. It concerns a 43-year-old Russian engineer accused of repeatedly violating Russian sanctions, according to Nieuwsuur. He is suspected of stealing items over years, such as microchip documentation from ASML, and also similar confidential paperwork from chip technology company Mapper Lithography. The entry ban was a measure introduced by Asylum and Migration Minister Marjolein Faber, Nieuwsuur reported. Such a ban is rarely imposed and only in the event of a threat to national security. The ministry would not provide an explanation for the reason for the entry ban. The ministry’s media relations team is also severely understaffed. The stolen information is alleged to have helped Russian microchip production, and other related sectors. In return, the man is suspected of receiving tens of thousands of euros. The man must appear in court in Rotterdam on Monday for a status hearing in his criminal case. The three-judge district court panel will also have an opportunity to consider aspects of the case, and whether he should be kept in pre-trial detention.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 6, 2024-- Certain BlackRock closed-end funds (the “Funds”) announced distributions today as detailed below. Municipal Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/31/2024 Taxable Municipal Fund: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 Taxable Fixed Income Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 Equity Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 Multi-Asset Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 * In order to comply with the requirements of Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), each of the Funds noted above posted to the DTC bulletin board and sent to its shareholders of record as of the applicable record date a Section 19 notice with the previous distribution payment. The Section 19 notice was provided for informational purposes only and not for tax reporting purposes. This information can be found in the “Closed-End Funds” section of www.blackrock.com . As applicable, the final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions in 2024 will be made after the end of the year. BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE: BCAT), BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE: ECAT), BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (NYSE: BSTZ), BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (NYSE: BMEZ) and BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (NYSE: BIGZ) have adopted a managed distribution plan (a “Plan”) to support a level monthly distribution of income, capital gains and/or return of capital, or in the case of BMEZ, BSTZ, BIGZ, ECAT and BCAT a monthly distribution based on an annual rate of 12% (for BMEZ, BSTZ and BIGZ) and 20% (for ECAT and BCAT) of the Fund’s 12-month rolling average daily net asset value calculated 5 business days prior to declaration date of each distribution. The December 2024 distribution for each of BMEZ, BSTZ, BIGZ, ECAT and BCAT was calculated based on the average net asset value from 11/28/2023 to 11/27/2024. Below are the 12-month rolling average daily net asset values used to calculate BMEZ, BSTZ, BIGZ, ECAT and BCAT’s December distributions: BMEZ: $17.808095 BSTZ: $21.799921 BIGZ: $8.675040 ECAT: $18.410000 BCAT: $17.351032 The fixed amounts distributed per share or distribution rate, as applicable, are subject to change at the discretion of each Fund’s Board of Directors/Trustees. Under its Plan, each Fund will distribute all available investment income to its shareholders, consistent with its investment objectives and as required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). If sufficient income (inclusive of net investment income and short-term capital gains) is not available on a monthly basis, a Fund will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return capital to its shareholders in order to maintain a level distribution. Each Fund’s estimated sources of the distributions paid as of November 29, 2024 and for its current fiscal year are as follows: 1 The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net-realized capital gains in the current fiscal year; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment is paid back to the shareholder. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income’. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share. The amounts and sources of distributions reported are only estimates and are being provided to you pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. * Portfolio launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented for this Fund reflects data from inception to 10/31/2024. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the Fund’s current distributions or from the terms of the Fund’s Plan. BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (NYSE: EGF), BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE: DSU), BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE: FRA), BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust (NYSE: BGT), BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (NYSE: HYT), BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust (NYSE: BTZ), BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust (NYSE: BLW), BlackRock Core Bond Trust (NYSE: BHK), BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (NYSE: BIT), BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (NYSE: BKT) and BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust (NYSE: BBN) have adopted a Plan to support a level monthly distribution of income, capital gains and/or return of capital. The fixed amounts distributed per share are subject to change at the discretion of each Fund’s Board of Directors/Trustees. Under its Plan, each Fund will distribute all available net income to its shareholders, consistent with its investment objectives and as required by the Code. If sufficient income (inclusive of net investment income and short-term capital gains) is not available on a monthly basis, a Fund will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return capital to its stockholders in order to maintain a level distribution. Each of the above-listed Funds is currently not relying on any exemptive relief from Section 19(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Each Fund expects that distributions under the Plan will exceed current income and capital gains and therefore will likely include a return of capital. Each Fund may make additional distributions from time to time, including additional capital gain distributions at the end of the taxable year, if required to meet requirements imposed by the Code and/or the 1940 Act. Each Fund’s estimated sources of the distributions paid as of November 29, 2024 and for its current fiscal year are as follows: 2 The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net-realized capital gains in the current fiscal year; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment is paid back to the shareholder. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income’. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share. The amounts and sources of distributions reported are only estimates and are being provided to you pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Each Fund will send its stockholders a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will illustrate how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. No conclusions should be drawn about a Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the Fund’s distributions or from the terms of the Fund’s Plan. The amount distributed per share under a Plan is subject to change at the discretion of the applicable Fund’s Board. Each Plan will be subject to ongoing review by the Board to determine whether the Plan should be continued, modified or terminated. The Board may amend the terms of a Plan or suspend or terminate a Plan at any time without prior notice to the Fund’s shareholders if it deems such actions to be in the best interest of the Fund or its shareholders. The amendment or termination of a Plan could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund's shares. About BlackRock BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate Availability of Fund Updates BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Funds on a monthly basis on its website in the “Closed-end Funds” section of www.blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Funds. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release, and other statements that BlackRock or a Fund may make, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to a Fund’s or BlackRock’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. BlackRock cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BlackRock assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. With respect to the Funds, the following factors, among others, could cause actual events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for the Funds or in a Fund’s net asset value; (2) the relative and absolute investment performance of a Fund and its investments; (3) the impact of increased competition; (4) the unfavorable resolution of any legal proceedings; (5) the extent and timing of any distributions or share repurchases; (6) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (7) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to a Fund or BlackRock, as applicable; (8) terrorist activities, international hostilities, health epidemics and/or pandemics and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (9) BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (10) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time; and (11) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions. Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of the Funds with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on BlackRock’s website at www.blackrock.com , and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Funds. The information contained on BlackRock’s website is not a part of this press release. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206448100/en/ 1-800-882-0052 KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: BlackRock Closed-End Funds Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/06/2024 04:56 PM/DISC: 12/06/2024 04:56 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206448100/en
NoneSoak it in, Nebraska fans. The long wait is finally over. The Nebraska football team is going bowling for the first time since 2016, and those who saw it happen live on Saturday couldn’t wait any longer to start the celebration. Fans rushed the Memorial Stadium field for the second time this fall, and who could blame them? As Nebraska’s one-time pregame anthem, “Can You Feel It,” blasted from the stadium’s loudspeakers, the answer was undoubtedly yes — everyone could feel the energy and the joy present on the field. Fans jumped together, screaming into the November night sky as Nebraska staffers milled around and players received congratulations, applause and handshakes. That such a breakthrough moment would happen for the Nebraska football this fall was not always certain, especially after the Huskers dropped a fourth straight game to USC last week. Following that game, quarterback Dylan Raiola boldly proclaimed he felt the Huskers would win their next game — but why? “I’m a big vibes person, and when I came back in the locker room even though we lost, I just got the vibe that we were about to take off,” Raiola said. On Saturday night inside Memorial Stadium, the vibes were immaculate. Let’s drop into coverage: When Nebraska walked off the field at the 2016 Music City Bowl, no one would’ve predicted that it’d be eight years before the Huskers would themselves back in the postseason. Year after year and season after season followed — each with its own promise and potential, only to end in heartbreak. There was the defensively challenged 2017 team, and the 2018 team that started 0-6 but put things together late. The 2019 team showed flashes but stumbled late, especially in one-score games. The 2020 team actually got the option to go to a bowl game but turned it down. The 2021 team earned the unfortunate moniker of perhaps being the best three-win team ever. The 2022 team once again found itself on the wrong end of one-score games. The 2023 team had an elite defense but couldn't get the job done in four tries. In the end, it was the 2024 Huskers who got it done, true freshman quarterback and all. It was impossible to see the accomplishment of Saturday night and not think of the hundreds of Huskers whose playing careers came to an end not during a bowl game but during the regular season. Players like Ethan Piper, Garrett Nelson, Luke Reimer or Trent Hixson — Nebraskans who shed blood, sweat and tears for the program with little to show for it. “It’s for the guys that came before us and stuck through it all,” senior Isaac Gifford said of making a bowl game. Head coach Matt Rhule was paid the big bucks to deliver such a moment, but he’s still deserving of credit for getting the job done. An inability to get over the line in 2023, combined with a swing and a miss at a transfer portal quarterback, raised pressure on Rhule as other programs found their quick fix and instant success. Rhule, who earned a reputation as a program-builder from his time at Temple and Baylor, was always going to focus on long-term, not short-term success. “The future of Nebraska football is not hanging on one decision; it’s hanging on an accumulation of great recruiting, great development, great coaching and great teaching,” Rhule said in November 2022. The Nebraska administrators who stood alongside Rhule on that day — Chancellor Ronnie Green, President Ted Carter and Athletic Director Trev Alberts — all left their posts before seeing the process through. Rhule, however, hasn't wavered. Nebraska fans can have their gripes about clock management, playing time, offensive play calls or any of the other places where NU still has room for improvement — but who can deny that Rhule has made strides in each and all of those areas? “It’s relief in that I’ve gotten the benefit of doing this twice before,” Rhule said Saturday of snapping the bowl game streak. “I look at the weight room, I look at the training room, sports science, sports psychology, player development, recruiting and I look at all the things we’re doing and believe it’s all right and that it’s all going to pay off in a big way.” Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen is cooking up something special. Facing a Wisconsin defense that allowed just 16 points against No. 1 Oregon last week, Nebraska ran the ball effectively, threw the ball into tight windows and strung together drives with impressive consistency. It’s not just the 44-point output that stands out — the way Nebraska played on offense has simply looked different with Holgorsen calling the plays the last two weeks. “Credit to coach Holgorsen and what he’s brought to the offense,” Rhule said. “Maybe it’s playcalling, but I think the biggest thing he’s brought is a little bit of swagger to them.” Let’s give Holgorsen his flowers while remembering something as well: this is still the offense designed and built by Marcus Satterfield over the last two seasons. Holgorsen hasn’t reinvented the wheel since taking over, but what he has done is shake up the rhythm and timing of play calls within the offense and the personnel trusted to execute them. In order to run the ball, you have to commit to it, and Holgorsen has done an excellent job thus far of making sure Nebraska gets plenty out of its ground game. Playing the most snaps (52) of any Husker running back this season, sophomore Emmett Johnson also ran for the most yards (113) any player has all year. Nebraska also debuted a nifty two-back look where Dante Dowdell and Johnson lined up alongside Raiola in the backfield, a formation that gave the Wisconsin defense trouble to defend. Credit the blocking, up front and on the perimeter — where NU has looked much better in recent weeks — for springing the big running day. 20 of NU’s 38 rushing attempts went to the right side of its offensive line, with the Huskers averaging over 6 yards per carry on those plays. Holgorsen also dialed up the right mixture of passing plays for Raiola, who played his first interception-free game since late September. Nebraska got the ball out quickly with Raiola often firing to his first read for short gains, a setup senior Jahmal Banks said was “just like practice.” “The ball went where it was supposed to be,” Rhule said of Nebraska’s pass game, adding that the Huskers did well in pass protection. Also of interest in NU’s offensive personnel was senior wide receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda getting on the field to record his first catch since the 2023 season opener. And at tight end, usual starter Thomas Fidone II spent much of the game on the sidelines after committing an early false start penalty. Fidone played just three snaps, ceding playing time to Nate Boerkircher (49 snaps played) and Luke Lindenmeyer (44 snaps). Many of the players who powered the Nebraska offense on Saturday are the same who the Huskers will hope to build around moving forward. Johnson in particular stands out as the running back of the future for Nebraska, having averaged 4.6 yards per carry a year ago and 5.4 yards per attempt this fall in addition to his skills as a pass-catching back. “We’re changing Nebraska football,” Johnson said after the game. Raiola, of course, has gone through his own learning curves and should come back stronger as a sophomore in 2025 as a result. His favorite target this fall, freshman wideout Jacory Barney Jr., also continues to impress as the season progresses. In addition to his work on special teams, Barney has 49 receptions, 10 rushing attempts, three touchdowns and over 500 yards to his name this season. “Jacory runs a route as hard if he’s the first progression as if he’s the fourth progression; he runs every play like it’s the last play of his life,” Rhule said. Nebraska’s depth of talent on offense runs much deeper than those players, with some who’ve not even seen the field this fall set to make their impact moving forward. Knowing that this Wednesday will not be their final practice of the season with bowl game practices to follow simply adds to the growth potential of NU’s young offense. “There’s a lot of guys that if they just stop at the end of the year, catch their breath and look up, they’ve really gotten better over the course of the year,” Rhule said. “Now we have a couple extra weeks of bowl practice to try and get them to another one.” A veteran-heavy Nebraska defense, excellent throughout the 2023 season, hasn’t necessarily been at the same level this fall. Remember, that unit essentially dragged the team to five wins; earning more than that is the reward for their hard work this time around. Wisconsin struggled to finish drives off but still chewed up more than 400 yards of offense as Nebraska allowed 20-plus points for the fifth week in a row. Still, NU’s early season success — particularly in the nonconference slate — has allowed the Huskers to put together a solid campaign at home. Nebraska allowed just 15.7 points per game inside Memorial Stadium this season, a number which rose to 28.8 points per game on the road. Nebraska’s Black Friday matchup against Iowa will pit the Huskers against a team that is down to its fourth-string quarterback. If there’s one thing Iowa knows how to do, it is win with defense, special teams and the ground game. Sophomore walk-on Jackson Stratton completed 10-of-14 passes for 76 yards in Iowa’s win over Maryland, with head coach Kirk Ferentz saying Stratton is likely to start against Nebraska as well. NU fans can now begin looking at bowl game projections with the knowledge that the Huskers will be a part of the postseason. CBS Sports’ projection, updated after Nebraska’s win over Wisconsin, has the Huskers set for the Guaranteed Rate Bowl against Texas Tech on Dec. 26 in Phoenix. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Rohtak: A nearlty two-decade demand of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) students was finally met on Friday as a life-size statue of Dr B R Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution, was unveiled on the university campus during a memorial programme to mark his “Mahaparinirvan Diwas”. The unveiling was carried out by minister of social justice & empowerment, SCs and BCs Welfare (Antyodaya), Krishan Kumar Bedi, in the presence of MDU vice-chancellor Prof Rajbir Singh and other university officials. Students welcomed the statue’s installation, calling it the realisation of a two-decade-old demand for a lasting symbol of equality and equity on campus. Bedi praised Dr Ambedkar’s transformative contributions to the nation. “Dr Ambedkar was a beacon of wisdom whose ideas enlightened millions. His role in drafting the Indian Constitution and promoting national integration remains unparalleled. The nation owes him a deep debt of gratitude,” the minister said. VC Prof Rajbir Singh, in his address, described Dr Ambedkar as the “real architect of the Indian Constitution” and a tireless advocate for the marginalised. “Dr Ambedkar's life is a source of inspiration for those striving for justice and equality. The university will further his constitutional ideals through various initiatives,” he added, encouraging students to emulate Dr Ambedkar’s commitment to societal upliftment. Students expressed satisfaction at the statue’s installation, noting that the demand for such a tribute had been raised by successive student bodies for over 20 years. We also published the following articles recently 2-decade-old demand fulfilled as Dr. Ambedkar's statue unveiled at Maharshi Dayanand University A long-awaited statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was unveiled at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas. Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi led the ceremony, attended by university officials and students. The statue fulfills a 20-year-old student demand, symbolizing equality and inclusion. Speakers lauded Ambedkar's contributions to the Indian Constitution and his advocacy for the marginalized. Ambedkar a symbol of justice, equality: BJP MLA In Lucknow, MLA Rajeshwar Singh commemorated B.R. Ambedkar's death anniversary by inaugurating a memorial and praising his contributions to social justice and the Indian Constitution. Simultaneously, Singh launched the 34th Ramrath Yatra, a free bus service transporting devotees to Ayodhya for Ram temple darshan. Ambedkars 68th Mahaparinirvan Diwas commemorated Mandya officials commemorated B.R. Ambedkar's 68th Mahaparinirvan Diwas on Friday. Deputy Commissioner Kumara led the tributes, urging citizens to embody Ambedkar's values of justice, equality, and liberty. He emphasized the significance of Ambedkar's contribution to the Indian Constitution. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Reform’s rise could hand pro-Indy parties majority at next Holyrood electionFriends of the Marshall Public Library to hold holiday store throughout DecemberIt didn’t take much to stir Jack Eichel’s national pride in looking ahead to representing the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Appearing on a Team USA Zoom call on Thursday, the Vegas Golden Knights forward jumped right in when reminded how U.S. teams featuring NHL players competing in best-on-best international tournaments haven’t won a gold medal since the 1996 World Cup of Hockey series. “I’ll take it,” Eichel interjected after Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy apologized for not hearing the question. “I think there’s a lot to prove for us as USA Hockey,” Eichel said. “I think for a while it was Canada on a pedestal by themselves. And I think for us, we feel like we’ve closed that gap. And I think this is a great opportunity to prove that.” From the Boston area, Eichel supported his case by referring to the growing pool of American talent that’s entered the NHL though the U.S. national development program over the past decade. And that’s reflected in how a majority of the U.S. team’s 23-player roster is made up of USNDP alumni, Eichel included. “Obviously, we feel very confident in our group and the names on our roster,” Eichel said. “But that’s only half the battle. You’ve got to go out there and do it. And we’re excited for that opportunity.” The 4 Nations Face-Off was unveiled last All-Star Weekend. It splits NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the U.S. into four teams, replacing the All-Star Game format this season. Eichel’s comments came a day after the nations unveiled their entire rosters to compete in the NHL/NHL Players’ Association-backed tournament being split between Montreal and Boston and running from Feb. 12-20. Though talented, the Americans have lacked success at the senior international level. The U.S. last medaled at the world championships by winning bronze in 2021, and hasn’t placed better than third since 1960 at Squaw Valley, which also doubled as the Winter Games. The Americans’ last Olympic gold came with amateurs competing at the 1980 Lake Placid Games, since dubbed the “Miracle On Ice,” while winning silver medals with NHL players in 2002 and 2010 — both times losing to Canada. And then there was 1996, when goalie Mike Richter earned World Cup MVP honors in helping the Americans beat Canada in a decisive Game 3 of the final series. “I think we check every box there is,” McAvoy said. “I think the confidence amongst us in our group should be sky high.” The U.S. team’s brain trust, headed by Wild GM Bill Guerin and Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, prioritized experience over potential in filling out the 17 remaining roster spots. Forwards Chris Kreider, of the Rangers, and Brock Nelson, of the Islanders, are the oldest players on the team at age 33, and have extensive world championships experience. The youngest player is also the only one with Olympic experience: 22-year-old Minnesota defenseman Brock Faber, who played at the Beijing Games in 2022 when the NHL pulled out because of pandemic-related scheduling issues. They’ll go up against a talent-laden Team Canada that features forwards Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar. The U.S. team is particularly strong down the middle with Eichel, Auston Matthews and Dylan Larkin. Another strength is in net with a trio led by two-time Vezina Trophy-winner Connor Hellebuyck and rounded out by Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman. USA Hockey has enjoyed its most success in winning two of the past four world junior championships and six since 2004. Four Nations teammates McAvoy, Oettinger and defenseman Adam Fox were members of the U.S. team that won the 2017 world junior title. Team Canada officials also went with a veteran-laden group, featuring 14 players who have won at least one Stanley Cup title. “You can’t put a price tag on experience,” Canada and Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Thursday. “I truly believe this is a tournament where you’re basically playing three Game 7s (in the preliminary round). ... There’s no real margin for error,” he added. “This is as competitive a group as you will find. Every one of these players will lay in traffic for their country.”
El Dorado Police Warn Residents to Stay Safe During Severe Flooding
SS&C Signs Agreement with Insignia FinancialPolice arrested a 26-year-old man on Monday in the Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO after they say a Pennsylvania McDonald's worker alerted authorities to a customer who resembled the suspected gunman. The suspect, identified by police as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, had a gun believed to be the one used in Wednesday’s attack on Brian Thompson , as well as writings expressing anger at corporate America, police said. Here are some of the latest developments in the investigation: Mangione was taken into custody at around 9:15 a.m. after police received a tip that he was eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh, police said. Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on gun charges and will eventually be extradited to New York to face charges in connection with Thompson’s death , said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. In addition to a three-page, handwritten document that suggests he harbored “ill will toward corporate America,” Kenny said Mangione also had a ghost gun, a type of weapon that can be assembled at home and is difficult to trace. Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. Officers also found a sound suppressor, or silencer, “consistent with the weapon used in the murder,” the commissioner said. He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the shooter and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, Tisch said. Kenny said Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and that his last known address is in Honolulu. Mangione, who was valedictorian of his Maryland prep school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a university spokesman told The Associated Press on Monday. He learned to code in high school and helped start a club at Penn for people interested in gaming and game design, according to a 2018 story in Penn Today, a campus publication. His social media posts also suggest that he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. They also show him taking part in a 2019 program at Stanford University, and in photos with family and friends at the Jersey Shore and in Hawaii, San Diego, Puerto Rico, and other destinations. The Gilman School, from which Mangione graduated in 2016, is one of Baltimore’s elite prep schools. Some of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent people, including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., have had children attend the school. Its alumni include sportswriter Frank Deford and former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington. In his valedictory speech, Luigi Mangione described his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things,” according to a post on the school website. He praised their collective inventiveness and pioneering mindset. Mangione took a software programming internship after high school at Maryland-based video game studio Firaxis, where he fixed bugs on the hit strategy game Civilization 6, according to a LinkedIn profile. Firaxis parent company Take-Two Interactive said Monday it would not comment on former employees. He more recently worked at the car-buying website TrueCar, according to the head of the Santa Monica, California-based company. “While we generally don’t comment on personnel matters, we confirm that Luigi Mangione has not been an employee of our company since 2023,” TrueCar CEO Jantoon Reigersman said by email. Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather Nick Mangione, who died in 2008, was a successful real estate developer. One of his best-known projects was Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. The father of 10 children, Nick Mangione prepared his five sons — including Luigi Mangione’s father, Louis Mangione — to help manage the family business, according to a 2003 Washington Post report. The Mangione family also purchased Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore in 1986. On Monday, Baltimore County police officers blocked off an entrance to the property, which public records link to Luigi Mangione’s parents. Reporters and photographers gathered outside the entrance. Luigi Mangione is one of 37 grandchildren of Nick Mangione, according to the grandfather's obituary. Luigi Mangione's grandparents donated to charities through the Mangione Family Foundation, according to a statement from Loyola University commemorating Nick Mangione’s wife’s death in 2023. They donated to various causes ranging from Catholic organizations to colleges and the arts. One of Luigi Mangione’s cousins is Republican Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione, a spokesman for the lawmaker's office confirmed Monday. Police said the person who killed Thompson left a hostel on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 5:41 a.m. on Wednesday. Just 11 minutes later, he was seen on surveillance video walking back and forth in front of the New York Hilton Midtown, wearing a distinctive backpack. At 6:44 a.m., he shot Thompson at a side entrance to the hotel, fled on foot, then climbed aboard a bicycle and within four minutes had entered Central Park. Another security camera recorded the gunman leaving the park near the American Museum of Natural History at 6:56 a.m. still on the bicycle but without the backpack. After getting in a taxi, he headed north to a bus terminal near the George Washington Bridge, arriving at around 7:30 a.m. From there, the trail of video evidence runs cold. Police have not located video of the suspect exiting the building, leading them to believe he likely took a bus out of town. Police said they are still investigating the path the suspect took to Pennsylvania. “This just happened this morning," Kenny said. "We’ll be working, backtracking his steps from New York to Altoona, Pennsylvania,” Kenny said. Associated Press reporters Lea Skene in Baltimore, Matt O'Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, and Cedar Attanasio in New York contributed to this report.
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Even winning the World Series can't slow the Los Angeles Dodgers down. Los Angeles just accomplished what every team in baseball wanted by winning the World Series this fall over the New York Yankees but it seems like the Dodgers aren't even taking a minute to breathe. The Dodgers have been linked to a handful of free agents and there even have been reports that the club met with Yankees star Juan Soto. It should be unlikely that Soto will land in Los Angeles but who knows at this point. The Dodgers can do anything they want. No matter what happens with Soto, the Dodgers are going to be busy and Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter predicted that Teoscar Hernández will end up re-signing . "Slugger Teoscar Hernández has made it clear he prefers to stay with the Dodgers, but it's also unlikely he is going to settle for another short-term deal coming off an elite offensive season that boosted his stock significantly," Reuter said. "The Dodgers can turn to some combination of Andy Pages, James Outman, Chris Taylor, and top prospect Dalton Rushing to fill the other corner outfield spot, but adding a productive veteran such as Jesse Winker would help take some pressure off that group. If he can be had on a one-year deal, he would be a nice under-the-radar pickup." Hernández made $23.5 million with Los Angeles so a multi-year deal with a similar annual value could make sense. He shined in 2024 with the Dodgers and had 33 home runs and 99 RBIs while earning an All-Star nod. Hopefully, he does end up returning. More MLB: Dodgers already met with superstar in line for $131M deal, per insiderA combination Dunkin'/ Baskin Robbins opened in the middle of the super-regional mall at U.S. 30 and Mississippi Street in Hobart. The two Massachusetts-based chains teamed up to off er sweets to shoppers. Baskin Robbins is, of course, known for serving 31 flavors of ice cream at any given time, and has rolled out 1,300 diff erent flavors since it opened in 1948. Formerly known as Dunkin' Donuts, Dunkin' is a staple in the Calumet Region and greater Chicagoland that historically was best known for its donuts, but which has pivoted to focus more strongly on caff einating people on the go with a wide array of coff ee drinks, including many sugary options like the seasonal peppermint mocha. It's perceived by some as a more working-class and less pretentious alternative to Starbucks. "The brand-new kiosk is located on the lower level in Center Court," Southlake Mall Marketing and Business Development Manager Kristyn Filetti said. "We are excited for them to be open and off er coff ee to our shoppers again with such a strong, national brand. Along with coff ee and donuts, shoppers can also enjoy their favorite Baskin Robbins' sweet treats." Open Toni's Pizza, a longtime landmark pizzeria in East Chicago, is under new ownership. Uli Gom, an acclaimed chef who also runs the EC Cafe and is especially well-known for his previous Tapas Cafe restaurant, took over the pizzeria at 4724 Indianapolis Blvd. in downtown East Chicago. It's a homecoming of sorts as he had started working there as a teenager, getting his first taste of the kitchen. ""In fact, the first time I discovered pizza was from Toni's Pizza in EC," he said. "I wow myself indulging the flavors of this melted cheese, tomato and sausage baked pie. 'What is this?' I said. So I took a job as a cook here at Toni's. Actually, my culinary journey started here. I remember spending long hot summer days making pizza with my brothers Rim and Alberto while we all were students at Purdue University." The longtime institution, having opened in 1972, is known for its pan pizza slices and Chicago-style deep dish. "Two months ago, the previous owner of Toni's decided to retire from the pizza business so my brother Rim and I took the opportunity to take over the place and bring the old Toni's Pizza back to its glory days," Gom said. "It's been a challenge for us. Unfortunately, the threeyear Indianapolis Boulevard street reconstruction had a big impact to all of the small businesses in East Chicago. Fortunately, the whole street is back open for traffic, so we are taking the opportunity to promote and get the pizzeria back on track." He plans to bring old recipes back using homemade pizza dough, Italian sausage and sauce, while adding unique interesting items like chicken BBQ, pork pastor, barbacoa brisket, Buff alo and Italian meats pizzas, as well as baked pizza rolls Gom describes as ideal for game day. Toni's Pizza is open 4-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Coming soon The old Michel's Sports Eatery across from Lake Central High School at 8209 Wicker Ave. in St. John has been completely gutted for renovations. R-Bar in Highland, a sports bar in Highland known for its Serbian food, is taking over the space about five miles south. Michel's was a popular place to watch the game that closed after owner George Michel, a retired fire chief with the Schererville Fire Department, died earlier this year. "We've been looking to get into St. John for the last five or six years. We had other opportunities that didn't work out. This opportunity was a great fit, so we jumped on it," said Steve Ruzich, who runs R-Bar with his business partner Alex Romic. "We're got it gutted and have filled up four dumpsters. We're going to renovate the whole thing. It will be redesigned and laid out similar to our new bar. The blueprint's here. If it ain't broke, don't fix it." R-Bar's second location will have 40 new TVs, live music, trivia night, bingo parties and other events. It will encompass about 5,000 square feet and seat up to 200 people. It will have the same menu of Serbian food that includes cevaps, pljeskavica, shish kebab, smoked sausage, muckalica, burek, sopska salata, ajvar and kajmak. The traditional old world cuisine, which comes with authentic sides like raw onion, draws Serbs, Croatians and Eastern Europeans from across Northwest Indiana. Open Kabelin Ace Hardware opened a new store on Michigan City's east side. The family-owned retailer opened its eighth store and second in Michigan City at 2309 E. Michigan Blvd. in Eastgate Plaza. "This new location is more than just a store — it is a promise to support and uplift the East Side community by creating jobs, off ering essential products, and forming meaningful partnerships with other local businesses," Mackenzie Kabelin Watkins said. "Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for everyone who calls this area home." Chicago-based Ace is the place with the helpful hardware man and more than 5,700 locations across the country. It's a cooperative of local hardware stores like Kabelin Hardware, which started in 1912. The chain also has locations in LaPorte, New Carlisle, Granger, Walkerton and South Bend. It's calling its latest location the Michigan City East store. The store has a 4,000-square-foot open-air garden center as well as a wide array of hardware, home improvement supplies and the expert advise Ace is known for. "We have been hard at work for months bringing this new store together. I couldn't be prouder of the team involved and their commitment to making sure we provide the highest level of quality and service to our new neighbors," Store Manager Lisa Conley said. Reopened Tarimoro Fruits reopened in Hammond after suff ering a fire in November. The neighborhood grocery store at 1301 Chicago Ave. in Hammond stocks fresh fruit, produce and meat and a wide array of imported goods from Mexico like nopales, tortillas and clay pots. It also has many vendors who serve freshly prepared meals like chicken tamales in green sauce with hot champurrado. The butcher serves many Mexican favorites like barbacoa, carnitas and cow tongue. Ethnic fare like ceviche and Puerto Rican cuisine draws customers from a wide area, including neighboring East Chicago and the south suburbs. If you would like your business to be included in a future column, email joseph.pete@nwi.com .
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