AMCHITKA ISLAND, Alaska — A series of moderate to strong earthquakes struck Alaska's western Aleutian Islands and offshore areas Sunday. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in the area around Adak, Amchitka and Kiska islands some 1,350 miles (2,200 kilometers) west of Anchorage. Of the three remote islands, only Adak Island, with a population of about 300 people, is inhabited. Nine quakes measuring at least magnitude 5.0 struck on or near the islands and in a cluster offshore to the south Sunday morning and afternoon, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center. Three of the quakes measured 6.0 or stronger, with the biggest a 6.3 temblor offshore. “We are monitoring these events and their aftershocks, and will update when we have more information on the nature of this seismic activity,” the earthquake center said in a post on the social media site X. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . The quakes did not appear related to recent seismic activity at a volcano near Anchorage that last erupted in 1992. Much of Alaska including the Aleutian Islands is on the Ring of Fire, a seismically and volcanically active zone that surrounds most of the Pacific Ocean.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is heading to the NFL draft after leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing and setting a handful of school records. The SEC Offensive Player of the Year announced on social media his intention Friday to leave after his junior season. He helped the seventh-ranked Vols go 10-3 with a first-round loss in the College Football Playoff where Sampson was limited by an injured hamstring. Sampson thanked his family, Tennessee coaches and fans, saying he learned so much and had the chance to be part of something special. Tennessee went 3-7 in 2020, and he leaves with the Vols having won 30 games over his three seasons. “I poured my heart and soul into this program and this community,” Sampson wrote. “With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.” Sampson set a school record running for 1,491 yards. He also set a program record with a league-best 22 rushing touchdowns, breaking a mark that had stood for 95 years. He was part of coach Josh Heupel's first full signing class in December 2021 out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He also set school records for total touchdowns scored (22), points scored (132) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). He led the SEC in nine different categories, including rushing attempts (258), rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games with 10, averaging 114.7 yards rushing per game, points scored, points per game (10.2), all-purpose yards (1,638) and all-purpose yards per game (126.0). He finished this season tied for fifth all-time in the SEC ranks for rushing TDs in a single season with Leonard Fournette of LSU. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football The Associated PressFor very long, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, was thought to be an illness that primarily affects elderly persons. However, there has been a worrying trend in recent years, hypertension is becoming more common among teenagers and young adults, which makes it a public health issue that needs immediate attention. Hypertension in young adults is broadly classified into primary hypertension in which the underlying cause is undetermined and secondary hypertension in which the cause is identified along with modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. A number of unconventional causes and risk factors have surfaced in recent years. Some of the main non-traditional risk factors are listed below: • Change in dietary habits and lack of physical activity – Increased intake of a diet rich in sodium and processed foods and lack of physical activity has led to prevalence of obesity. In children and young adults, obesity is also associated with associated obstructive sleep apnoea, all of which can lead to hypertension. • Tobacco exposure - Tobacco exposure in form of active or secondhand smoke can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of hypertension. Studies state that exposure to tobacco during critical periods of growth can disrupt normal cardiovascular development, potentially resulting in early onset hypertension. • Adverse childhood experiences – Traumatic events in childhood such as abuse, neglect, parental mental health problems, can activate chronic stress responses, leading to long-term changes in the body's stress-regulation systems and result in elevated blood pressure over time. They can also lead to unhealthy coping behaviours, further increasing the risk of hypertension. • Prenatal and neonatal factors – Maternal complication during pregnancy can affect fetal development increasing the risk of long-term cardiovascular problems. Absence of breastfeeding during neonatal phase may contribute to early weight gain and metabolic disturbances, which are known risk factors for the development of hypertension later in life. • Sleep Deprivation and Poor Sleep Quality: Young adults, especially those in demanding academic or professional settings, frequently experience inadequate or poor sleep, which can set off the body's stress response and upset hormonal balance, which can affect the regulation of blood pressure and blood sugar. • Digital Overload and Social Media: Many young adults are becoming addicted to excessive screen time, particularly on social media platforms, which has unanticipated negative effects on their mental and physical well-being. Extended use of screens is associated with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Blood pressure rises when certain emotional states set off the body's fight-or-flight reaction. • Chronic Stress and Mental Health Disorders: Anxiety, depression, and burnout are among the chronic mental health conditions that many young adults have been coping with in recent years. High blood pressure is directly linked to these mental health issues. • Environmental Pollution: Studies have demonstrated that environmental contaminants such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter can cause oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, which can harm blood vessels and result in hypertension. • Endocrine Disruptors: Known to be present in many common items, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are increasingly being identified as risk factors for hypertension. These substances, which are frequently present in plastics (such as BPA), cosmetics, pesticides, and even food packaging, disrupt the body's hormone balance and induce minute changes in blood pressure regulation, which over time can result in hypertension. • Consumption of High Caffeine and Energy Drinks: These stimulants, which stimulate the central nervous system and raise heart rate, cause a brief increase in blood pressure. Even though their effects could be temporary, long-term high blood pressure can result from excessive consumption. • Poor Hydration: The body stores more salt to preserve water when dehydrated, which can cause the blood vessels to constrict and increase the force needed for blood to flow, resulting in elevated blood pressure. What are the most common tests used to diagnose heart conditions? Addressing High Blood Pressure in Young People In order to avoid long-term health issues like heart disease, stroke, renal failure, and more, it is imperative that young individuals with hypertension receive early detection and treatment. To address the increased prevalence of high blood pressure in youth, a multimodal strategy is required. • Medically speaking, children, adolescents, and young adults should all get routine blood pressure checks as part of their checkups, especially if they have risk factors. Early detection of high blood pressure enables early intervention, which may involve dietary adjustments, increased exercise, stress reduction strategies, and, if necessary, medication. • Parents and guardians should encourage their kids to be active, restrict their screen time, and eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. They should also limit their intake of salt and sugary drinks. • Raising awareness of the value of blood pressure monitoring should be the main goal of public health initiatives, particularly for those at increased risk because of a family history of hypertension, obesity, or a sedentary lifestyle. Schools should implement health education programs to teach kids about the dangers of unhealthy eating habits, the value of exercise, and the long-term advantages of leading a healthy lifestyle. (Dr. Saikat Kanjilal - Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Sarjapur Road, Bangalore)
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks fell broadly on Friday as Wall Street closed out a holiday-shortened week on a down note. The losses were made worse by sharp declines for the Big Tech stocks known as the “Magnificent 7”, which can heavily influence the direction of the market because of their large size. The S&P 500 fell 66.75 points, or 1.1%, to 5,970.84. Roughly 90% of stocks in the benchmark index lost ground, but it managed to hold onto a modest gain of 0.7% for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 333.59 points, or 0.8%, to 42,992.21. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 298.33 points, or 1.5%, to 19,722.03. Semiconductor giant Nvidia slumped 2.1%. Microsoft declined 1.7%. Each has a market value above $3 trillion, giving the companies outsized sway on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. A wide range of retailers also fell. Amazon fell 1.5% and Best Buy slipped 1.5%. The sector is being closely watched for clues on how it performed during the holiday shopping season. Energy stocks held up better than the rest of the market, with a loss of less than 0.1% as crude oil prices rose. “There’s just some uncertainty over this relief rally we’ve witnessed since last week,” said Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial. The S&P 500 gained nearly 3% over a 3-day stretch before breaking for the Christmas holiday. On Thursday, the index posted a small decline. Despite Friday's drop, the market is moving closer to another standout annual finish . The S&P 500 is on track for a gain of around 25% in 2024. That would mark a second consecutive yearly gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The gains have been driven partly by upbeat economic data showing that consumers continued spending and the labor market remained strong. Inflation, while still high, has also been steadily easing. A report on Friday showed that sales and inventory estimates for the wholesales trade industry fell 0.2% in November, following a slight gain in October. That weaker-than-expected report follows an update on the labor market Thursday that showed unemployment benefits held steady last week. The stream of upbeat economic data and easing inflation helped prompt a reversal in the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy this year. Expectations for interest rate cuts also helped drive market gains. The central bank recently delivered its third cut to interest rates in 2024. Even though inflation has come closer to the central bank's target of 2%, it remains stubbornly above that mark and worries about it heating up again have tempered the forecast for more interest rate cuts. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market’s path ahead and shifting economic policies under incoming President Donald Trump. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Amedisys rose 4.7% after the home health care and hospice services provider agreed to extend the deadline for its sale to UnitedHealth Group. The Justice Department had sued to block the $3.3 billion deal, citing concerns the combination would hinder access to home health and hospice services in the U.S. The move to extend the deadline comes ahead of an expected shift in regulatory policy under Trump. The incoming administration is expected to have a more permissive approach to dealmaking and is less likely to raise antitrust concerns. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. Markets in Europe gained ground. Bond yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.62% from 4.59% late Thursday. The yield on the two-year Treasury remained at 4.33% from late Thursday. Wall Street will have more economic updates to look forward to next week, including reports on pending home sales and home prices. There will also be reports on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity.
‘I always go to the lobby’: Man calls out renters who make Uber Eats drivers deliver to their apartment door
Senate prospects appeared dim Monday for a controversial bill that recently passed the House that many civil liberties groups and nonprofits said could be used to retaliate against them for their activities. In an email to HuffPost on Monday, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that Schumer “is opposed to the provisions to strip accused nonprofits of their tax-exempt status.” Combined with the dwindling time lawmakers have to pass a bill to keep the government open past Dec. 20 and Schumer’s intent to spend precious Senate floor time on confirming federal judges , the outlook for the bill was already cloudy before the disclosure of Schumer’s position. As majority leader, Schumer decides what bills get consideration by the full Senate. The bill passed the House Thursday on a 219-184 vote , with 30 representatives not voting. Only one Republican, libertarian-leaning Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), voted against it, while only 15 Democrats voted in support. The bill would allow the treasury secretary to more quickly take away the tax-exempt status of groups that have provided support for groups listed by the government as terrorist organizations. The nonprofit groups would have to be notified of their designation as terrorist-supporting organizations at least 90 days beforehand and would have that time to make changes to prevent being stripped of their exempt status. They could also challenge the exemption with the IRS and in federal court. Despite those safeguards, many groups spanning the ideological spectrum, from the American Civil Liberties Union to the libertarian Cato Institute, worried they would not be enough to prevent the new authority from being abused. Critics also found a receptive audience among House Democrats. Fifty-two supported the bill in an initial vote on Nov. 12, many more than the 15 who supported it in the final vote. The prospect of a Donald Trump administration having that new power, after Trump has said publicly he was entitled to take revenge on his political enemies, concerned many Democrats. “The GOP wants to give the new president Orwellian powers to impose a Kafkaesque nightmare on America’s nonprofits,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said in a social media post , adding, ” What could go wrong with the new administration having the power to designate groups as ‘terrorist-supporting’ with no judicial determination and no due process?” Republicans said the fears of abuse were unfounded and an overreaction to Trump’s election. They also touted the other part of the bill, language that would ease tax penalties assessed on people unable to file their taxes because they are being held hostage abroad. “Congress must act to stop this abuse of our tax code that is funding terrorism around the world. We must act to end the unfair tax treatment of Americans who have already suffered enough — and whose families have suffered enough — from being held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad,” said Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said in a statement Thursday . If the bill fails to be passed by both the House and Senate by the time the new Congress is seated in early January, advocates will have to start all over again with a new bill. However, the bill, or only portions of it, could still be tucked into other legislation that is expected to pass before Congress adjourns, such as a temporary spending bill or a huge defense policy bill. Chuck Schumer Cuts Deal With GOP To Confirm Some Of Biden’s Final Judges, Drop Others Schumer Explains How McConnell Can ‘Salvage’ Some Of His Reputation Chuck Schumer Demands 'Good F**king Reason' For Trump Inaction In Jan. 6 FootageIllinois inexplicably ends up behind two Big Ten teams Fighting Illini beat in ESPN FPI | Sporting NewsHome is the most dangerous place for women, UN report finds
Most Australians feel they are poorer now than they were three years ago, as a poll reveals widespread dissatisfaction with the Albanese government’s priorities. A new Redbridge poll found 52 per cent of those surveyed either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposition that the government has the right focus. 40 per cent of voters said Peter Dutton was ready for office, slightly more than the 39 per cent who said he was not. Asked on Seven’s Sunrise if the polling meant Australia was “in the mood for change”, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the government was focused on the cost of living, while the Coalition was blocking bills. Directing her comments to Liberal senator Jane Hume, Rishworth said: “You’ve voted against our housing bills. Blocked our cost of living measures. Fought against our energy price measures. Everything we’ve done, the Liberal Party have fought against it...” Hume repeatedly interjected Rishworth’s response, asking “Where have you been for 21⁄2 years?” “You spent a year concentrating on the Voice referendum,” she quipped. Meanwhile, on Nine’s Today , Nationals senator Matt Canavan also responded to the poll, saying Australians were poorer because “we’ve adopted a lot of stupid policies that deny Australians the use of their own energy resources that load our country with way too much red tape”. Last month, the Resolve Political Monitor found Australians hold Labor accountable for the financial pain of rising prices and the cost of housing. Thirty-six per cent believe the federal government is responsible for their rising living costs – far greater than the 13 per cent who blame global factors outside Australia’s control. The Queensland election was a month ago but the pomp and circumstance will happen today, with the Governor to travel to Parliament House to formally open the 58th Parliament, meaning there will be road closures in the city. Upon Governor Dr Jeannette Young’s arrival at the Queensland Parliament at 1.40pm, a 19-gun salute will fire from Kangaroo Point, and she will receive a royal salute from the Royal Guard, be invited to inspect the Guard, the Australian Army band, Brisbane and Queensland mounted police escort. She will then deliver the opening address in Parliament, outlining the priorities and objectives of the incoming LNP government. These are the road changes: President Joe Biden on Tuesday called Israel and Hezbollah’s ceasefire agreement “good news” and expressed hope the pause in more than 13 months of fighting will be the catalyst to also end the war in Gaza. Biden made his comments in a Rose Garden speech. He stressed that Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah broke the terms of the truce. US President Joe Biden administration has been trying to calm relations with Beijing. Credit: AP Biden added that the deal between Israel and Hezbollah “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities”. The president’s comments come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, clearing the way for the truce to take effect. Netanyahu’s office said the plan was approved by a 10-1 margin. The late-night vote came shortly before President Joe Biden was expected to announce details of the deal in Washington. Earlier, Netanyahu defended the ceasefire, saying Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah and could now focus its efforts on Hamas militants in Gaza and his top security concern, Iran. Netanyahu vowed to strike Hezbollah hard if it violates the expected deal. Read more about the ceasefire deal in the full story here. Most Australians feel they are poorer now than they were three years ago, as a poll reveals widespread dissatisfaction with the Albanese government’s priorities. A new Redbridge poll found 52 per cent of those surveyed either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposition that the government has the right focus. 40 per cent of voters said Peter Dutton was ready for office, slightly more than the 39 per cent who said he was not. Asked on Seven’s Sunrise if the polling meant Australia was “in the mood for change”, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the government was focused on the cost of living, while the Coalition was blocking bills. Directing her comments to Liberal senator Jane Hume, Rishworth said: “You’ve voted against our housing bills. Blocked our cost of living measures. Fought against our energy price measures. Everything we’ve done, the Liberal Party have fought against it...” Hume repeatedly interjected Rishworth’s response, asking “Where have you been for 21⁄2 years?” “You spent a year concentrating on the Voice referendum,” she quipped. Meanwhile, on Nine’s Today , Nationals senator Matt Canavan also responded to the poll, saying Australians were poorer because “we’ve adopted a lot of stupid policies that deny Australians the use of their own energy resources that load our country with way too much red tape”. Last month, the Resolve Political Monitor found Australians hold Labor accountable for the financial pain of rising prices and the cost of housing. Thirty-six per cent believe the federal government is responsible for their rising living costs – far greater than the 13 per cent who blame global factors outside Australia’s control. It’s likely to be another cloudy day in Brisbane, with a medium chance of showers throughout the day. And the temperature is forecast to reach a maximum just short of 30 degrees. The weather bureau predicts a slight breeze throughout the day also, dropping off into the evening. Here’s the seven-day outlook: Stories making the rounds further afield this morning: The grieving families of two backpackers who died after a suspected mass methanol poisoning have returned to Australia with the bodies of their daughters after living every parents’ nightmare. The Australian economy has been destabilised by incoming US president Donald Trump’s declaration of a tariff war on three of America’s biggest trading partners. Natalie Harp watches Donald Trump. Credit: Doug Mills/The New York Times Trump has always demanded loyalty from his aides but few have answered the call quite like Natalie Harp . A 33-year-old former far-right cable TV host, Harp is nearly always at Trump’s side and has written him a series of devotional letters. Now she is poised to play an influential role in his White House. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will recommend a proposal for a ceasefire with Hezbollah to his cabinet for approval, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. And from January 8, Australians will need an electronic travel authorisation to enter the UK. You can apply for yours now. Good morning, thanks for joining us for Brisbane Times’ live news blog. It’s Wednesday, November 27, and we’re expecting a partly cloudy day and a top temperature of 29 degrees. In this morning’s local headlines: Did Brisbane’s buses get more crowded after 50¢ fares? What impact has working from home had on public transport? We have the latest figures from Translink . Queensland’s new LNP government will push a regular end-of-year budget update into early 2025 to give it time to “get our head around” Labor’s cost blowouts, says Treasurer David Janetzki. Queensland remains in the grip of a whooping cough outbreak , with staff at Brisbane public hospitals reporting up to 28 times the number of cases normally seen by this time of year. Thirty-four years ago, former umpire Ian Stewart was viciously assaulted . As he reflects on the damage caused by an angry player, a Queensland academic explains why decision-makers shouldn’t be surprised by “concussion crises”. And it took just a $30 investment and a tug on his heartstrings to convince former St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt that he belonged back at the Broncos , where his career began. Ben Hunt has agreed to a two-year Broncos deal worth about $550,000 annually – significantly less than what he was earning at St George Illawarra. Credit: Getty
Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow record
Rebutting remarks by BRS leader T. Harish Rao, revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Sunday said that the Congress government has fulfilled its promises by providing a number of schemes to people in the last one year. The government has taken a decision to take 23,000 village revenue assistants and village revenue officers into postings. The BRS government had shifted them to other departments. Speaking to media persons at the Secretariat, the minister countered Harish Rao's remarks that the state’s financial situation was in a bad shape, by stating that it was due to the ten years of misrule of the BRS government. "Wasn't it Tughlaq rule of those that made Erravelli the capital and a farmhouse the state secretariat and ruled unilaterally as per their whims and fancies,” he asked, referring to BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao. Reddy said that lakhs of applications regarding Dharani issues had been pending during the BRS rule. “We have taken many decisions related to the revenue department. We have made revenue services accessible to the common man. While taking necessary steps to clean up Dharani portal, we have also resolved applications received by the previous government as regards Dharani. We have mooted a new revenue law and we will be introducing the new revenue law bill in the upcoming Assembly session", the minister said. He pointed out that they have also decided to transfer the responsibility of managing the Dharani portal from a foreign company called TerraCIS Technologies Ltd to a Central government undertaking, NIC. To resolve problems related to Dharani, we decentralized powers. As a pilot project, the government will extend `five lakh financial assistance to poor people to construct a house under the Indiramma Housing scheme and allocate 4.50 lakh houses initially in the state. The government would also take up reconstruction of 63000 double bedroom houses, which were neglected by the BRS government, Srinivas Reddy said.