48 jili

48 jili Eight years and $10 billion later, GM has decided to on its grand robotaxi experiment. The automaker’s CEO, Mary Barra, made the surprise announcement late on Tuesday, arguing that a shared autonomous mobility service was never really in its “core business.” and had too many regulatory hurdles to overcome to make it a viable revenue stream. Instead, GM would pivot to “privately owned” driverless cars — because, after all, that’s what the people really wanted. “Customers like to drive,” Barra said in a call with investors. “And there’s times they don’t like to drive.” If some of this sounds familiar, Ford essentially made the same decision two years ago when it , the autonomous driving startup it had financed since 2017. It cited as one of its reasons — often described as Level 3 or Level 3-plus — will have more near-term payoffs. Automakers are tapping out of the robotaxi business Automakers are tapping out of the robotaxi business. With all the , the auto industry has decided to cut its losses on autonomous mobility. Only one transformational, prohibitively expensive, once-in-a-generation shift at a time. “I think this is more a recognition that autonomous vehicle technology is going to take a decade or more to provide driverless rides at a national scale,” said Phil Koopman, an AV expert from Carnegie Mellon University. “GM decided that they would rather make money selling private cars while waiting for the technology to mature than continue to invest billions of dollars standing up robotaxi businesses city by city.” To be sure, there’s been a lot of technological progress. Not too long ago, Cruise had across San Francisco. The company even said it was of winning government approval to deploy its in a bid to move even more people. But Cruise moved too aggressively, and it paid the price. The company had 5 million miles of real-world testing under its belt, but the embarrassing incidents were starting to pile up. Its driverless vehicles were blocking traffic or in San Francisco. The city’s fire chief said that the vehicles were “not ready for prime time,” citing over six dozen incidents in which robotaxis interfered with fire trucks. “GM decided that they would rather make money selling private cars while waiting for the technology to mature” Behind the scenes, Cruise was also a mess. The company’s first CEO, Dan Ammann, after sparring with Barra over the future direction of the company. Barra thought GM should be using Cruise’s technology to power everything from luxury self-driving Cadillacs to commercial vans, . Ammann wanted to get the robotaxi service right before spreading resources to other parts of the company. He also wanted to take Cruise public so it could use its public stock to lure in top talent. Barra wanted to keep it in-house, so GM could eventually reap the rewards. Meanwhile, Cruise was continuing to rack up huge losses. The robotaxi subsidiary lost a staggering $3.48 billion in 2023. Kyle Vogt, Cruise cofounder and Amman’s successor as CEO, was under mounting pressure to expand the service and bring in more money to help cover the losses. Plus, he was directly competing with Alphabet’s Waymo, which had more vehicles and seemingly better technology. And Google’s parent company was more willing to spend billions of dollars, without any near-term profits, to win the robotaxi race. With the screws tightening, Vogt publicly drew a line in the sand: Cruise would bring in . Instead, Cruise never made it to the end of 2024. It all culminated in an incident on October 7th, 2023, when a Cruise vehicle in San Francisco struck and dragged a pedestrian over 20 feet, seriously injuring her. The victim was initially struck by a hit-and-run driver, . Cruise disclosed to regulators that its vehicle had struck a pedestrian but about the accident. As a result, the California DMV suspended the company’s permit to operate self-driving cars in the state, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the Securities and Exchange Commission launched separate investigations. Cruise later agreed to a . But more importantly, the incident damaged Cruise’s effort to . San Francisco residents were already annoyed by the frequency with which the company’s cars were blocking their intersections and bumping into their emergency vehicles. Urbanists and supporters of car-free transportation were peeved at the suggestion that robot cars, and not fewer cars altogether, were what was needed to improve street safety. And regulators didn’t like being misled about a dangerous incident. The incident damaged Cruise’s effort to win the public’s trust But even in the aftermath of the pedestrian-dragging event, GM still stuck with Cruise. It wasn’t until the automaker realized it going to have to take a that Cruise was ultimately cut loose. “Total ownership by a century old manufacturing giant controlled by stock buyback-seeking value investors was never going to be successful,” Ray Wert, former communications director at Cruise, . Ex-CEO Vogt was even more succinct: “In case it was unclear before, it is clear now: GM are a bunch of dummies.,” . With Cruise out of the picture, aiming to prove that robotaxis can work in the real world. (Amazon’s Zoox and Hyundai’s Motional are also still in the game, albeit far behind Waymo.) Tesla is also pursuing its own , which it claims will launch in 2026. Meanwhile, GM will tackle a new risky experiment: . GM knows how to sell cars to people, and the company already has a hands-free highway driving feature called Super Cruise. Why not just leverage Cruise’s fully autonomous technology to make Super Cruise even better? GM may have to develop a partially autonomous system that covers “95 percent” of driving scenarios, but it still thinks that people want a fully autonomous car of their own — on their own terms. “I think the application of what the customer wants in a privately owned vehicle is very different,” Barra said on Tuesday. “But I also think... there’s a lot of commonality [with Cruise’s technology]. How it seamlessly moves back and forth, I think is something different in a personal autonomous vehicle.” “I think the application of what the customer wants in a privately owned vehicle is very different” Driver-assistance technologies, especially so-called Level 3 systems, carry their own risks. There have been studies that show that the handoff between a partially automated system and a human driver can be especially fraught. When people have been disconnected from driving for a longer period of time, they may overreact when suddenly taking control in an emergency situation. They may overcorrect steering, brake too hard, or be unable to respond correctly because they haven’t been paying attention. And those actions can create a domino effect that has the potential to be dangerous — perhaps even fatal. The safety implications are enormous, as are the liability concerns. GM may eventually decide that robotaxis aren’t such a bad bet after all. /ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Maverick McNealy has learned in his five years on the PGA Tour that trying to win a tournament is “designed to make you feel as uncomfortable as you possibly can.” Standing in the 18th fairway Sunday in the RSM Classic, part of a four-way tie for the lead that included Florida State sophomore Luke Clanton, the 29-year-old McNealy had every reason to be uncomfortable. He had gone nine hole without a birdie. From 185 yards away he chose a 6-iron, a club that had gone anywhere from 120 yards to 240 yards during a week of big wind and cold weather, and at that moment as warm as it had been all tournament. The shot made it look like he had been there before, covering the flag and landing 5 feet away for a birdie and his first PGA Tour victory in his 134th start as a pro. It sends him to Maui to start next year and to the Masters in April for the first time. “A moment I'll never forget,” he said. Daniel Berger missed a 20-foot birdie attempt on the 18th that preceded McNealy's winner. He tied for second with Nico Echavarria and Clanton, both of whom missed par putts from inside 8 feet on the final hole that created the four-way tie. Berger got a small consolation prize, moving inside the top 125 to keep a full PGA Tour card for 2025 when the fields will be smaller and only the top 100 keep cards. Henrik Norlander, who was No. 126 in the FedEx Cup last year, had a 63-68 weekend and joined Berger as the two players who moved into the top 125. For Joel Dahmen, it was a matter of staying there. He was at No. 124 coming into the final tournament, had to make a 5-foot par putt just to make the cut on the number and then delivered a tee-to-green clinic — along with holing a 113-yard sand wedge for eagle early in his round — for a closing 64. It was enough to stay at No. 124 with nine points to spare. “Two of the biggest pressure moments of my career I showed up, and I can take that going forward,” Dahmen said. Clanton was a shot away from joining Nick Dunlap as amateur winners on the PGA Tour this year. Clanton, who has taken over as the top-ranked amateur in the world, now has two runner-up finishes and four top 10s in the seven PGA Tour starts the last five months. He had the look of a winner, especially with McNealy stuck in neutral, when he poured in birdie putts on the 14th and 16th holes to tie for the lead. But he tugged his approach to the 18th into bunker, blasted out to 7 feet and missed his par putt. He shot 66. “It’s going to be a tough one to definitely take, for sure, after bogeying the last,” Clanton said. “But I think it’s proven to me that out here I can win, so I’ll be training for that.” Echavarria, who won in Japan a month ago, had not made a bogey all day until going long on the 18th, chipping to 9 feet and catching the lip with his par putt. Michael Thorbjornsen was poised to move into the top 125 until he pulled his approach into the water on the par-5 15th hole and made bogey, closing with three pars for a 69. He tied for eighth and finished at No. 129. Thorbjornsen still has a full card next year from being No. 1 in PGA Tour University, but his status won't be as high. McNealy, son of Sun Microsystems co-founder Scott McNealy, had been doing some of his best work outside the ropes, particularly effecting a change in FedEx Cup points distribution to make it more equitable. Missing was a victory, and this one came down to the wire. He went out in 33 and led by two going to the back nine, and then it became a grind. He holed a 15-foot par putt from the fringe on the 11th to stay in the lead, and saved par after going bunker-to-bunker on the 13th. But he dropped a shot with an errant drive on the 14th, and when Echavarria birdied the 15th ahead of him, McNealy was out of the lead for the first time all day. He answered at just the right time, a 6-iron that covered the flag and settled just over 5 feet away. The victory gets him into three $20 million events over the first two months of the year starting with The Sentry at Kapalua, along with his first trip to Augusta National. AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

CARY, N.C. , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fathom Realty , a subsidiary of Fathom Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: FTHM) ("Fathom"; or the "Company "), a national, technology-driven, end-to-end real estate services platform integrating residential brokerage, mortgage, title, and SaaS offerings for brokerages and agents, has appointed Andrew Shock as Vice President of Operations. With over 20 years of experience in the residential brokerage industry, Shock brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his new role, further strengthening Fathom Realty's operational capabilities. "Andrew's expertise, knowledge, and positive energy align perfectly with our vision and will drive us toward our goals," said Samantha Giuggio , President of Fathom Realty and Chief Operations Officer of Fathom Holdings. "With his leadership, we are confident in our continued journey to becoming the top choice for agents and clients in the country." Shock brings extensive real estate expertise spanning operational management, transactions across residential and commercial properties, corporate portfolio sales, and new home developments. As former Director of Operations at eXp Realty, he has demonstrated a track record of driving growth and operational excellence. His commitment to delivering exceptional results and creating value for clients and stakeholders makes him a valuable addition to the Fathom Realty team. Shock's operational oversight will allow DeJane Kerr , Senior Vice President of Compliance, to focus on brokerage compliance. This organizational change reflects Fathom Realty's commitment to driving growth and enhancing efficiency. "I'm honored to join Fathom and work with such a talented team," added Shock. "Throughout my career, I've been driven by a commitment to revolutionizing real estate, and Fathom's values strongly reflect that vision. Together, we're creating a platform where agents can grow, thrive, and achieve lasting success in a supportive environment." Shock earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of Toledo : one in Business Administration with a focus on Organizational Leadership and Management and another in Legal and Paralegal Studies. About Fathom Holdings Inc. Fathom Holdings Inc. is a national, technology-driven real estate services platform integrating residential brokerage, mortgage, title, and SaaS offerings to brokerages and agents by leveraging its proprietary cloud-based software, intelliAgent. The Company's brands include Fathom Realty, Encompass Lending, intelliAgent, LiveBy, Real Results, and Verus Title. For more information, visit www.FathomInc.com . Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties which we expect will or may occur in the future and may impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including risks associated with general economic conditions, including rising interest rates; its ability to generate positive operational cash flow; risks associated with the Company's ability to continue achieving significant growth; its ability to continue its growth trajectory while achieving profitability over time; risks related to ongoing and future litigation; and other risks as set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's most recent Form 10-K as filed with the SEC and supplemented from time to time in other Company filings made with the SEC. Copies of Fathom's Form 10-K and other SEC filings are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov . The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release except as required by law. Investor Contact: Matt Glover and Clay Liolios Gateway Group, Inc. 949-574-3860 FTHM@gateway-grp.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fathom-realty-names-andrew-shock-vice-president-of-operations-to-drive-growth-and-innovation-302330711.html SOURCE Fathom Holdings Inc.

Published 4:31 pm Monday, November 25, 2024 By Staff Reports Ranked teams will be on Tuesday’s college basketball schedule for four games, including the South Dakota State Jackrabbits taking on the Oregon Ducks. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.

Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. He was 85. Major League Baseball , the players’ association and the Braves paid tribute to Carty on social media on Sunday. A family friend told Listín Diario — a newspaper in Carty’s native Dominican Republic — that he died Saturday night in an Atlanta hospital. “Carty was one of the first groundbreaking Latino stars in the major leagues, and he established himself as a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, and the city of Atlanta, where he was a beloved fan favorite,” the players' association said in its statement . The Braves said Carty left an indelible mark on the organization. “While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed,” the team said in its statement. Carty made his big league debut with the Braves in September 1963. He batted .330 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs in his first full season in 1964, finishing second to Dick Allen in voting for NL Rookie of the Year. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season, and Carty got the franchise's first hit in its new home on April 12, 1966, against Pittsburgh. Carty had his best year in 1970, batting .366 with 25 homers and a career-best 101 RBIs. He started the All-Star Game after he was elected as a write-in candidate, joining Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in the NL outfield. Carty batted .299 with 204 homers and 890 RBIs over 15 years in the majors, also playing for Cleveland, Toronto, Oakland, Texas and the Chicago Cubs. He retired after the 1979 season. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLBOne of the most highly anticipated aspects of the 2.2 update is the addition of new missions and quests that will further expand the already rich and intricate narrative of Cyberpunk 2077. Players can look forward to delving deeper into the dark and dangerous world of Night City, encountering new allies and foes along the way. Whether you're a seasoned mercenary or a fresh-faced newcomer, these new missions are sure to test your skills and keep you on the edge of your seat.None

In conclusion, Israel's intensive airstrikes on Syrian military targets have underscored the precarious nature of the security environment in the Middle East. The latest escalation in tensions between Israel and Syria serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflicts and power struggles that continue to shape the region's geopolitical landscape. The repercussions of these events are likely to reverberate beyond the borders of Israel and Syria, impacting the wider Middle East and beyond.Beyond the glamour and glitz of celebrity culture, Xiaohua's dedication to his work and commitment to delivering top-notch results shone through in his hairstyling session with Xiang Zuo. His passion for his craft and his ability to transform a simple haircut into a work of art captivated the audience and left a lasting impression on fans and followers."Insights into New Economic Trends for 2025 from the Central Political Bureau Meeting"Title: Son Heung-Min Still Vital for Tottenham Hotspur and National Team, Defended by Manager Mauricio Pochettino

In conclusion, Guiyang's real estate market is experiencing a period of rapid expansion and transformation, thanks to a combination of supportive government policies, improved infrastructure, and a strong economic foundation. The city's ability to meet the diverse needs of both first-time homebuyers and upgraders has fueled a surge in housing demand and market activity, leading to a vibrant and dynamic property landscape. As Guiyang continues to grow and develop, it is poised to become a leading real estate destination in China, offering both investors and residents ample opportunities for growth and prosperity.

Bronny James is set to make his G-League road debut on Thursday for the South Bay Lakers against the Valley Suns in Phoenix. James had intentionally featured exclusively in home games to this point for the Lakers G-League affiliate. They play at the UCLA Health Training Center, which also serves as the Los Angeles Lakers ' training complex. James was not traveling with the team on road games, as ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst expressed "he's only gonna kind of be a part-time G League player" while saying the team's preferential treatment of their rookie has "gone too far." 3 Jimmy Butler landing spots as NBA veteran's main motivation emerges Shaquille O'Neal walks off Inside the NBA set after unfortunate Jay-Z mention On Tuesday, fellow ESPN reporter Shams Charania tweeted how the Lakers "kept [the] door open for road contests." Now, James is poised to follow through on the team's initial intentions. In his first three G-League games, James featured in 26.3 minutes per contest while averaging 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 29.4 percent shooting. The Lakers selected James - the son of star LeBron James - with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after one season at USC. He's appeared in seven NBA games for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging just 2.6 minutes per game. He appeared in three minutes for Los Angeles in their 107-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers last Sunday. The Lakers drafted James with the assumption that he would split his time between the NBA and G-League. Speaking on his podcast "The Hoop Collective," Windhorst expressed the bizarre nature of the 20-year-old's development. "From my understanding, he’s only gonna play in the South Bay Lakers home games, that he’s only gonna kind of be a part-time G League player, and he’s not getting on United Airlines and going to fly and go see these other teams, play in these road games,” Windhorst said. “Honestly, I know he was getting somewhat special treatment and nepotism, that’s fine. I don’t care. It’s normal. Now, I think it’s actually detrimental to him. I don’t like that. I don’t know whose idea it was. Obviously, the Lakers are fine with it, they’re doing it... I think that's gone too far," he continued. Windhorst has covered LeBron for his entire career, including while he was a high-schooler in Cleveland before his time in the NBA. Back in November, Bronny James expressed optimism to join the G-League. “I’ve seen all the buzz from me going to the G,” he said. “It’s just an amazing experience for me to go out and play my game and get some minutes under me. I’m just excited for it.”

None

The proposed visit by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to China next year will help to further increase bilateral trade and most importantly help to speed up the signing of the Free Trade Agreement which was being negotiated for several years, said President Elect of Sri Lanka-China Business Cooperation Council (SLCBCC) Indika Salgado, at their 25th Annual General Meeting at the Galadari Hotel. Salgado highlighted the Council’s critical role in facilitating bilateral trade, enhancing investment opportunities and building strong networks between businesses in Sri Lanka and China. “Our commitment remains unwavering in creating a dynamic platform for collaboration, driving innovation, and fostering mutual economic prosperity,” he stated. He said that the Sino Lanka FTA will not have any adverse effects to Sri Lanka and most importantly it will help the SME sector to find new markets. “It will also be important for the local manufacturing sector with regard to raw material imports.” Asked to comment on low Chinese arrivals he said that China is a sensitive market and to woo their travelers to Sri Lanka, the country has to present them with a “good country acceptance mindset” sans ‘any doubt’ towards them. “There have been several negative political issues by the previous government like not allowing a Chinese research vessel to Sri Lanka which created a suspicion on Chinese travellers to visit Sri Lanka. ” (While Maldives allowed it.) Under its new leadership, the council aims to amplify efforts in fostering trade ties and unlocking new avenues of cooperation in industries ranging from technology and tourism to agriculture and infrastructure. “We are also looking at leading a bigger business delegation to Canton Fair in China and also look at having close links with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.” The newly elected leadership team includes: Vice Presidents: Ranjith Laksiri and Renuka Jayamanne, Secretary General, Arjuna Yatawara and Treasurer: Tissa RuberuIn the world of agriculture, the unexpected can often lead to groundbreaking transformations. Recently, a metaphorical "lifesaving straw" has emerged in the form of a new technology or innovation that has the potential to revolutionize the corn industry. The question on everyone's mind now is whether corn, a staple crop with deep historical roots, is poised for a significant change. This potential shift is being accompanied by a subtle but noticeable change in market sentiment, as players in the industry begin to consider the implications of this new development.

Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious drone flights over New Jersey A New Jersey lawmaker from part of the state where several mysterious drones have been spotted in recent week says the devices appear to avoid detection by traditional methods. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia was among state officials who met Wednesday with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security. She says lawmakers were told the drones have dodged detection by helicopters and radio. Fantasia says DHS described the devices as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights off. The Morris County Republican made the comments in a post on X shortly after she and several other state and local lawmakers met with state police and Homeland Security officials. Juan Soto gets free luxury suite and up to 4 premium tickets for home games in $765M Mets deal DALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto gets free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets behind home plate for regular-season and postseason New York Mets home games as part of his record $765 million, 15-year contract. The Mets agreed to provide personal team security for the All-Star outfielder and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games, according to details of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. New York agreed to assist Soto’s family for in-season travel arrangements, guaranteed he gets uniform No. 22 and included eight types of award bonuses. Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says IRVING, Texas (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z won’t impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Ohio politician proposes make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game An Ohio politician has seen enough flag planting. Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. A fight ensued and police had to use pepper spray to disperse the players. Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield famously planted a flag in the middle of the field at Ohio State after the Sooners beat the Buckeyes in 2017. Gastineau confronts Favre in documentary for his 'dive' on Strahan's record-breaking sack Former New York Jets star Mark Gastineau confronted Brett Favre last year at a memorabilia show and angrily accused the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback of deliberately going down on a record-breaking sack. The tense exchange is shown in the new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “The New York Sack Exchange." It chronicles the Jets’ fearsome foursome defensive line of the 1980s that included Gastineau. Gastineau set an NFL record with 22 sacks in 1984, but Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan broke the mark when he sacked Favre in 2002 in a game between the Giants and Packers. Many have accused Favre of purposely taking the sack so Strahan could set the single-season record with 22 1/2. What happens next with Alex Jones' Infowars? No certainty yet after sale to The Onion is rejected Lawyers in the Alex Jones bankruptcy case are now in discussions on what could happen next after a federal judge in Texas rejected the auction sale of Jones’ Infowars to The Onion satirical news outlet. The next steps remained unclear Wednesday as the judge ordered the trustee who oversaw the auction to come up with a new plan. Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston rejected the bid late Tuesday, saying there was too much confusion about The Onion’s bid. The bankruptcy case was in the wake of the nearly $1.5 billion that courts have ordered Jones to pay for calling the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut a hoax. Sandy Hook families had backed The Onion’s bid. NFL and Nike extend their partnership with a 10-year deal, will focus on growing the sport globally IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL’s desire to become a global powerhouse is no secret. Nike is committed to helping the league continue expanding its worldwide reach. The league and the apparel giant announced Wednesday a 10-year partnership extension. The NFL and Nike will focus on working together to grow the game’s global reach, increase participation, develop new talent, and expand the football fan base. Nike, the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, has been the NFL’s exclusive provider of uniforms and sideline, practice and base layer apparel for all 32 NFL teams for 12 years. George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, dies at age 89 NEW YORK (AP) — George Joseph Kresge Jr., otherwise known to TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, has died at age 89. Kreskin’s friend and former road manager, Ryan Galway, says he died Tuesday at his home in Caldwell, New Jersey. Kreskin launched his television career in the 1960s and remained popular for decades, appearing with everyone from Merv Griffin to Johnny Carson to Jimmy Fallon. Fans would welcome, if not entirely figure out, his favorite mind tricks — whether correctly guessing a playing card chosen at random, or, most famously, divining where his paycheck had been planted among the audience. He also hosted a show in the 1970s, gave live performances and wrote numerous books. Albertsons sues Kroger for failing to win approval of their proposed supermarket merger Kroger and Albertsons’ plan for the largest U.S. supermarket merger in history has crumbled. The two companies have accused each other of not doing enough to push their proposed alliance through, and Albertsons pulled out of the $24.6 billion deal on Wednesday. The bitter breakup came the day after a federal judge in Oregon and a state judge in Washington issued injunctions to block the merger, saying that combining the two grocery chains could reduce competition and harm consumers. Albertsons is now suing Kroger, seeking a $600 million termination fee, as well as billions of dollars in legal fees and lost shareholder value. Kroger says the legal claims are “baseless.” Keynote Selena Gomez spotlights prioritizing mental health during Academy Women's Luncheon LOS ANGELES (AP) — While surveying a room packed with Hollywood’s most influential figures, “Emilia Pérez” star Selena Gomez took center stage at the Academy Women’s Luncheon to spotlight a critical issue: Prioritizing mental health and supporting underserved communities often left behind in the conversation. The singer-actor has been public about her mental health struggles, revealing she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Gomez was the keynote speaker Tuesday at the event held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with attendees including Ariana Grande, Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Rita Wilson, Ava DuVernay and Awkwafina.In conclusion, the announcement of the new 3.1% mortgage loan interest rate in Qingdao marks a significant turning point in the city's real estate market. While it may present challenges for some, it also opens up new possibilities for a more sustainable and balanced housing sector. By embracing this change with resilience and strategic planning, stakeholders can pave the way for a more robust and resilient real estate market in Qingdao.

Recent incidents prompt heightened security at Illinois Statehouse

Tiger Woods to skip his holiday tournament in the Bahamas as his back healsRadu, also known as "Şkëndërbeu" among fans, has been a rising star in the world of goalkeeping ever since he joined Inter in 2015. Despite being just 24 years old, the Romanian shot-stopper has already shown immense talent and potential, leading many to believe that he could be the long-term successor to Handanović.Article content The protest in Montreal last Friday that descended into violence wasn’t just a failure of leadership from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Pierre Poilievre insists, it was yet another sign that the Liberal government is on its last legs. Speaking to The Gazette, the federal Conservative leader framed last week’s unrest as a symptom of a country unravelling under Trudeau’s nearly decade-long tenure. “It is another confirmation of how everything is broken after nine years of Trudeau’s radical woke agenda,” Poilievre said. The pro-Palestinian, anti-NATO protest, which saw windows smashed and clashes with police, led to three arrests. Montreal police have indicated that more arrests are expected. It also came just before Trudeau’s attendance at a Taylor Swift concert, sparking uproar on social media. Trudeau condemned the protest on X on Saturday at noon. Speaking Monday at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Montreal, he said violent protesters should be “pursued and punished.” “I must reiterate how deplorable it was to see the violence and demonstrations here in Montreal on Friday night,” Trudeau told approximately 300 NATO delegates. “We must ensure that the laws are respected and that there are consequences for all those responsible.” However, Poilievre accused Trudeau of neglecting his responsibilities during a moment of crisis. “I have no problem with him taking his kids to a concert. That’s everyone’s right,” Poilievre said. “But part of the job of being prime minister is you get called away from important family and other functions to do your job.” When asked if he would leave a concert under similar circumstances, Poilievre was unequivocal: “Yes.” “He has a travelling team that sets up an on-site office everywhere he goes. He should have said, ‘I’m going to put my friendship bracelets down, get my national security officials on the line, and discuss how we can respond to this chaos,’” Poilievre said. “Instead, he danced around.” Montreal police reported no antisemitic acts during Friday’s protest, but tensions had risen earlier in the week when a woman was filmed making Nazi salutes and invoking Holocaust rhetoric . Last week’s protests and political fallout come at a precarious time for the Liberals, whose standing in national polls has steadily eroded. Even in Liberal stronghold Montreal, local races appear more competitive. Recent polls show Conservative candidates closing in on traditionally secure Liberal ridings. In the Mount Royal constituency, Conservative Neil Oberman is now two points behind incumbent Liberal Anthony Housefather — the Liberals previously won this seat by more than 30 points in the last election. LaSalle—Émard—Verdun’s byelection last month saw Liberal candidate Laura Palestini, who lost to Bloc Québécois candidate Louis-Philippe Sauvé, avoid featuring Trudeau’s image in her campaign materials. Poilievre tied Trudeau’s declining popularity to a range of national issues, saying rising rent, crime, and protests like Friday’s have ruptured Trudeau’s image. Poilievre said he believes in a common-sense approach to preventing future unrest, emphasizing stricter immigration screening, tougher penalties for violent protesters, and stronger safeguards for places of worship. “I plan to ask Montrealers a question: You’ve given Justin Trudeau and the Liberals your total loyalty for over a decade. What have you got? It’s clear what he’s getting. He’s getting power. But what do you get as a Montrealer?” hnorth@postmedia.com

Title: Gobert: Satisfied with the Current State of the Team, Shared Experiences Propel Growth

We hear the word talamak increasingly being used to describe corruption in our midst. Its dictionary translations into “chronic,” “acute,” or “rampant” don’t quite capture the intensity and brazenness the word is intended to convey in this context. Ask anyone around, and they’re likely to agree that corruption is now more widespread, glaring, and large-scale that people seem to have become almost desensitized to it. We shake our heads and curse ourselves in disgust over the daily news on the theatrics of political protagonists that most believe to be equally corrupt anyway—but don’t get indignant enough to take any action that might help curb it. We get a sinking feeling that things have gotten out of hand, and nothing any of us can do can stop it. And yet we all know that systemic corruption has long held back our economic progress and kept us from achieving sustained economic development as Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand did. It dampens job-creating domestic and foreign investments, and has kept many Filipinos trapped in poverty. It has diverted public funds from essential infrastructure for corrupt officials’ private gain. Infrastructure projects are overpriced, delayed, or exist only on paper, awarded to spurious contractors often owned by the very politicians who allocate the funds for them. In the Napoles-style schemes of the past, spurious nongovernment organizations were the tools employed to siphon off tens to hundreds of millions of pesos of pork barrel funds into politicians’ pockets. That is now small change compared to billions awarded to politicians’ own contractor firms from hundreds of billions in flood control and other infrastructure budgets. While our neighbors put in place modern infrastructure facilities that attracted foreign investors and enhanced trade, we’re still cursing unbearable traffic congestion, lack of public transport, persistent damaging floods, and poor connectivity. Corruption drives up our costs of doing business, as companies must pay substantial unofficial fees and navigate a complex web of bureaucratic hurdles, making them less competitive in regional and global markets. It leads to policy decisions that prioritize officials’ short-term gains over long-term national interests and the greater good. Inconsistent policies and lack of continuity in government programs further hinder economic progress. Meanwhile, neighbors like Vietnam pursued deliberate reforms to curb corruption and create business-friendly environments, which led them to rapid economic growth. Stable and transparent policies in our neighbors have been able to attract sustained investments and implement long-term development strategies. Corruption undermines the effectiveness of government institutions, resulting in poor service delivery and weak enforcement of laws. Our courts are often perceived as susceptible to political influence and bribery, leading to delayed or biased rulings that have eroded public trust and businesses’ faith in the legal system to resolve disputes. In contrast, strong institutions in our Asean peers ensure accountability, transparency, and efficient governance, which have fostered faster economic development. Corruption worsens poverty by depriving millions of Filipinos of access to education, health care, and social welfare. This creates a vicious cycle where poverty fuels corruption, with desperate individuals only too willing to sell their votes and elect openly corrupt officials. And corruption perpetuates inequality by allowing wealth and power to be concentrated among a few elites. The disparity between the wealthy who enjoy lavish lifestyles and the poor struggling to make ends meet is particularly stark in the Philippines. Neighboring countries with lower levels of corruption, such as Vietnam and Thailand, have managed to reduce inequality and create more inclusive societies. So what could we do, other than shrugging our shoulders and giving up? Vietnam strengthened laws on asset declarations, transparency, and enforcement mechanisms, and expanded the definition of conflicts of interest. Their “Blazing Furnace” anti-corruption campaign has ousted two presidents and several deputy ministers, and disciplined thousands of officials, including senior leaders, military generals, and party members. They have harnessed digital tools to enhance transparency and reduce corruption opportunities in public administration and procurement processes. They also promoted public participation in anti-corruption initiatives, especially youth and civil society organizations. But all these won’t happen without the top leadership enabling them, like the Communist Party in Vietnam does. Can we elect a president who will again proclaim “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,” and really take the mission to heart? ————— [email protected] Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .Israel launches new airstrikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to a ceasefire with Hezbollah