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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short. The Wolverines started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25, making them the third college football team since 1991 to be ranked worse than seventh in the preseason poll after winning a national title. Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) failed to meet those modest expectations, barely becoming eligible to play in a bowl and putting the program in danger of losing six or seven games for the first time since the Brady Hoke era ended a decade ago. The Wolverines potentially can ease some of the pain with a win against rival and second-ranked Ohio State (10-1, 7-1, No. 2 CFP) on Saturday in the Horseshoe, but that would be a stunning upset. Ohio State is a 21 1/2-point favorite, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook, and that marks just the third time this century that there has been a spread of at least 20 1/2 points in what is known as "The Game." Michigan coach Sherrone Moore doesn't sound like someone who is motivating players with an underdog mentality. "I don't think none of that matters in this game," Moore said Monday. "It doesn't matter the records. It doesn't matter anything. The spread, that doesn't matter." How did Michigan end up with a relative mess of a season on the field, coming off its first national title since 1997? Winning it all with a coach and star player contemplating being in the NFL for the 2024 season seemed to have unintended consequences for the current squad. The Wolverines closed the College Football Playoff with a win over Washington on Jan. 8; several days later quarterback J.J. McCarthy announced he was skipping his senior season; and it took more than another week for Jim Harbaugh to bolt to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. In the meantime, most quality quarterbacks wanting to transfer had already enrolled at other schools and Moore was left with lackluster options. Davis Warren beat out Alex Orji to be the team's quarterback for the opener and later lost the job to Orji only to get it back again. No matter who was under center, however, would've likely struggled this year behind an offensive line that sent six players to the NFL. The Wolverines lost one of their top players on defense, safety Rod Moore, to a season-ending injury last spring and another one, preseason All-America cornerback Will Johnson, hasn't played in more than a month because of an injury. The Buckeyes are not planning to show any mercy after losing three straight in the series. "We're going to attack them," Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer said. "We know they're going to come in here swinging, too, and they've still got a good team even though the record doesn't indicate it. This game, it never matters what the records are." While a win would not suddenly make the Wolverines' season a success, it could help Moore build some momentum a week after top-rated freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. "You come to Michigan to beat Ohio," said defensive back Quinten Johnson, intentionally leaving the word State out when referring to the rival. "That's one of the pillars of the Michigan football program. "It doesn't necessarily change the fact of where we are in the season, but it definitely is one of the defining moments of your career here at Michigan." AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!jili no.1 。

NoneGophers QB Max Brosmer commits to play in bowl gameMore than 20 years later, the system is getting a makeover. Smart home cameras have become a necessity. You already know they help keep an eye on what’s happening indoors and outdoors, even when you’re not home. But while these cameras are undeniably useful, they also pose a privacy risk . A new study highlights outdoor security camera apps as some of the biggest collectors of user data. This includes sensitive personal information like email addresses, phone numbers, payment details, precise location and more. GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS - SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER - THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE Smart outdoor camera (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) How smart home cameras can be spying on you According to a study conducted by Surfshark , outdoor security camera apps are some of the top offenders when it comes to collecting user data. These apps gather 12 data points on average, including sensitive details like email addresses, phone numbers, payment information and precise location. That’s 50% more than what other smart home devices typically collect. What’s even worse is that these apps often connect up to seven of these data points directly to your identity. Indoor security camera apps are slightly less data-hungry but still raise privacy concerns. They collect an average of nine data points, with six typically tied to users' identities. Commonly collected data includes email addresses, phone numbers, user IDs, device IDs, purchase histories and audio data. While this information can help improve the user experience, it also increases the risk of privacy violations. One of the biggest concerns with both outdoor and indoor security camera apps is the kind of data they collect. Many of these apps gather personal info like your name, email, phone number and physical address. Some apps, such as Arlo, Deep Sentinel, and D-Link, even grab data about your contacts, which can be accessed outside of the app. This data isn’t actually necessary for the apps to do their job. Smart camera (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) MASSIVE SECURITY FLAW PUTS MOST POPULAR BROWSERS AT RISK ON MAC Which apps collect the most data? Among the apps that collect the most data, Deep Sentinel and Lorex stand out for outdoor security cameras , each collecting 18 out of a possible 32 data points. Nest Labs, which leads the pack for indoor cameras, collects 17 data points, with Ring and Arlo each gathering 15. The absence of regulations and standards for smart home devices creates significant privacy risks. Without clear guidelines, users are vulnerable to data breaches, cyberattacks and even physical harm. Some apps track users for targeted ads or share data with third parties and data brokers. While outdoor security cameras typically avoid tracking, indoor cameras like Nooie and Canary Connect engage in user tracking, further complicating privacy concerns. WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? Smart indoor camera (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) 4.3 MILLION AMERICANS EXPOSED IN MASSIVE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT DATA BREACH 9 ways to stay safe from the risks associated with smart home cameras 1. Limit data sharing: Look for smart home camera apps that allow you to control what data is shared. Many apps offer settings that let you disable certain data collection features, like location tracking or audio recording. Customizing these settings can significantly reduce your risk of exposing personal information. 2. Regularly review and update privacy settings: Smart home cameras often receive software updates that may change privacy settings. It’s important to regularly review the app’s privacy settings to make sure they align with your preferences. Disable features that aren’t essential, such as sharing data with third-party apps or advertisers. 3. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA): Make sure your camera’s app and associated accounts are protected by strong, unique passwords. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. 4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible: This adds an extra layer of security in case your account information is compromised. GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE 5. Be mindful of camera placement: If your camera is collecting sensitive data like audio or images of people in your home, be mindful of where you place it. Avoid positioning cameras in private areas like bedrooms or bathrooms. This reduces the amount of potentially sensitive data the camera can capture. 6. Consider using local storage instead of cloud services : Some cameras offer local storage options, where footage is stored directly on a device like a hard drive or SD card, rather than in the cloud. This keeps your data more secure since it’s not accessible via the internet and is less likely to be exposed during a data breach. 7. Use a VPN: Encrypt your internet connection with a VPN to safeguard data transmitted from your smart home devices. This is an easy yet powerful way to add an extra layer of protection to your network. Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service can enhance your privacy by encrypting your internet traffic, making it harder for hackers and third parties to intercept your data, especially on public Wi-Fi. A VPN masks your IP address, helping to obscure your location and online activity. While VPNs don’t directly prevent phishing emails, they reduce the exposure of your browsing habits to trackers that may use this data maliciously. With a VPN, you can securely access your email accounts from anywhere, even in areas with restrictive internet policies. For best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices 8. Regularly review privacy policies: Stay informed about how your devices and apps collect, store and share your data. Ensure that you are aware of any changes to privacy terms that may affect your information. 9. Consider home security systems with enhanced physical security features , but be aware that, like all smart devices, they collect a variety of user data, including personal information, device data and location tracking. To minimize privacy risks, here are some tips for adjusting the settings within most security system apps: Disable location tracking: The security company may use location data for features like geofencing, which triggers actions based on your proximity to your home. If you're concerned about privacy, you can disable location tracking in the app to prevent the system from collecting this data. Limit video storage: Many security company’s cameras can store video footage in the cloud, but you can adjust the app settings to limit how long footage is stored or to delete it automatically after a certain period. Adjust device permissions: Review and adjust permissions for devices like cameras and smart locks to limit data collection. For example, disable audio recording if it's not necessary for your security needs. Control third-party data sharing: Your security company may share data with third parties, so it's essential to check and disable any settings that allow your data to be shared beyond your security system’s ecosystem. By actively managing these settings and using a VPN, you can significantly reduce your exposure to potential privacy risks associated with your smart home system. Check out my picks for best security systems . HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET Kurt’s key takeaway The rapid rise of IoT tech has changed the way we live and interact. But without proper rules in place, companies might put profits over user safety. This can lead to devices with security holes and weaknesses. A lot of smart home cameras are collecting more data than they really need and aren't clear about what they’re doing with it. It could be sold to third-party companies or used to target you with ads. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Do you feel comfortable with the amount of data your smart home devices collect? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover Follow Kurt on his social channels Facebook YouTube Instagram Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions: What is the best way to protect your Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android devices from getting hacked? What is the best way to stay private, secure and anonymous while browsing the web? How can I get rid of robocalls with apps and data removal services? How do I remove my private data from the internet? New from Kurt: Kurt’s Best New Holiday Deals Extended Try CyberGuy's new games (crosswords, word searches, trivia and more!) Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facility

NEW YORK , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global property management market size is estimated to grow by USD 11.3 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.81% during the forecast period. Adherence to industry and government regulations for property listings is driving market growth, with a trend towards blockchain and smart contracts. However, changing skill requirements for the adoption of emerging technologies poses a challenge. Key market players include 360 Mango Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Amadeus IT Group SA, CBRE Group Inc., Ciirus Inc., Digital Arbitrage Ltd., Ezee Technosys Pvt. Ltd., Frontdesk Anywhere Inc., Guestline Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Hotelogix India Pvt. Ltd., InnKey PMS, InnQuest Software, International Business Machines Corp., Koch Industries Inc., Microsoft Corp., Micro Star International Co. Ltd., Northwind Commercial Real Estate, Oracle Corp., Saaranya Hospitality Technologies Pvt. Ltd., and SAP SE. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2017 - 2021 Segment Covered Application (Commercial, Industrial, Residential, and Recreational marinas), Component (Solutions and Services), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled 360 Mango Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Amadeus IT Group SA, CBRE Group Inc., Ciirus Inc., Digital Arbitrage Ltd., Ezee Technosys Pvt. Ltd., Frontdesk Anywhere Inc., Guestline Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Hotelogix India Pvt. Ltd., InnKey PMS, InnQuest Software, International Business Machines Corp., Koch Industries Inc., Microsoft Corp., Micro Star International Co. Ltd., Northwind Commercial Real Estate, Oracle Corp., Saaranya Hospitality Technologies Pvt. Ltd., and SAP SE Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Property management is a dynamic market that caters to property owners, landlords, and real estate professionals. Urbanization drives demand for property operations, including maintenance, tenant interactions, and returns. Population growth fuels the need for residential, commercial, industrial spaces, and rental properties. Technology plays a crucial role, with digital solutions enhancing accountability through lease management, tenant communication, and customer satisfaction. Property maintenance and tenant management remain key focus areas, especially during lockdowns and economic uncertainty. Anarock Property Consultants' opportunity assessment highlights trends like smart building projects, workplace mobility, and IoT devices. Real-time data and smart buildings prioritize public safety and offer cost savings. However, financial limitations and security risks require careful consideration when deploying AR, VR technologies. Porter's Five Forces analysis reveals components like competition, supplier power, buyer power, threat of new entrants, and threat of substitutes. Cloud-based solutions cater to SMEs and large enterprises in verticals like ITES, telecommunications, banking, financial services, insurance, manufacturing, consumer goods, healthcare, entertainment, and trade. Blockchain technology is revolutionizing the property management industry by enabling faster and more secure transactions and information exchanges. Smart contracts based on this technology are becoming popular alternatives to traditional lease agreements and rent-collecting procedures. These contracts automate contract processing, saving time and effort, while adding safety and transparency to real estate transactions. Another emerging trend is property tokenization, which transforms specific properties into tokens for secure transfer between contract parties. This innovative approach streamlines transactions and opens new opportunities for real estate startups. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges Property management entails overseeing and maintaining real estate assets, including residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. Property owners and landlords rely on real estate professionals to ensure optimal property operations and returns. Urbanization and population growth present challenges, such as tenant interactions, maintenance, and accountability. Technology plays a crucial role, with digital solutions enhancing lease management, tenant communication, and customer satisfaction. Economic uncertainty and lockdowns necessitate adaptability and innovation. Anarock Property Consultants' opportunity assessment highlights the potential of smart building projects, workplace mobility, and IoT devices. However, financial limitations, security risks, and compliance concerns necessitate careful consideration when deploying AR, VR technologies, or IT solutions. Porter's Five Forces analysis reveals components like competition, suppliers, buyers, threats, and substitutes impacting the property management market. Organizations, from SMEs to Large Enterprises in sectors like ITES, Telecommunications, Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Entertainment, and Trade, grapple with these challenges. Advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, chatbots, and machine learning, are revolutionizing the property management industry. These technologies streamline problem-solving processes, keeping customers informed and in control. By analyzing customer behavior patterns, property managers can offer customized solutions. Customer-facing applications are emerging, allowing customers to engage in the management process. Data analytics is being integrated into property management software to derive insights, better understand customer needs, and predict demand trends. These advancements enhance customer satisfaction and efficiency in property management. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This property management market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 Commercial 1.2 Industrial 1.3 Residential 1.4 Recreational marinas Component 2.1 Solutions 2.2 Services Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Commercial- Commercial property management involves overseeing the administration and operation of non-residential properties, including office buildings, retail spaces, industrial facilities, and commercial complexes. The commercial segment requires specialized expertise in tasks unique to commercial real estate, such as lease negotiations, tenant retention strategies, facility maintenance, and adherence to commercial property regulations. The demand for commercial property management services has escalated due to the intricacy of managing diverse commercial real estate portfolios. Notably, the APAC region, particularly China and India , is experiencing significant growth in the commercial property sector. Cities like Shanghai and Beijing in China have witnessed increased office space requirements, with international corporations setting up operations. In the Middle East , countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia , and Qatar are expanding their commercial sectors with infrastructure projects and free zones. Dubai , for instance, has emerged as a global business hub, necessitating advanced commercial property management services for large office complexes, shopping malls, and industrial zones. The growth of the commercial real estate sector will continue to fuel the market's expansion in the commercial segment during the forecast period. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017 - 2021) Research Analysis Property management refers to the process of overseeing and maintaining real estate properties on behalf of property owners, landlords, and real estate professionals. Urbanization and population growth have led to an increased demand for property management services, encompassing residential, commercial, industrial spaces, and rental properties. Property operations include tenant interactions, maintenance, and ensuring optimal returns for property ownership experience. The property management market faces various challenges such as lockdowns and economic uncertainty. However, digital solutions are transforming the industry, enabling efficient property management through cloud-based platforms and on-premises systems. Porter's Five Forces analysis reveals component suppliers as a significant force, with ITES and real estate professionals as buyers. Deployment types include on-premises and cloud solutions, catering to organization sizes ranging from SMEs to large enterprises in the verticals of property management. Market Research Overview Property management refers to the process of overseeing and maintaining real estate properties on behalf of property owners, landlords, and real estate professionals. Urbanization and population growth have led to an increased demand for property management services, encompassing residential, commercial, industrial spaces, and rental properties. Property operations include maintenance, tenant interactions, and lease management. Technology plays a crucial role, with digital solutions offering accountability, tenant communication, and customer satisfaction. Porter's Five Forces analysis reveals components such as threat of new entrants, bargaining power of buyers, suppliers, and substitutes, and competitive rivalry. Property management solutions are deployed on-premises or in the cloud, catering to SMEs and large enterprises across various verticals like ITES, telecommunications, banking, financial services, insurance, manufacturing, consumer goods, healthcare, entertainment, and trade. The ongoing challenges of lockdowns and economic uncertainty necessitate smart building projects, workplace mobility, IoT devices, real-time data, and smart devices. Financial limitations, security risks, and compliance concerns call for innovative solutions like AR and VR technologies, data structures, IT teams, and buyer experiences. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Commercial Industrial Residential Recreational Marinas Component Solutions Services Geography North America Europe APAC South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/property-management-market-to-grow-by-usd-11-3-billion-2024-2028-driven-by-compliance-with-industry-regulations-with-ai-transforming-the-landscape---technavio-302321199.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.For many, this is a time of year that involves thinking about presents to exchange for holidays, host gifts for parties and end-of-year festivities at work. Whether you're tightening your budget or don't plan to give gifts at all, here are some ideas for how to cope: Stick to a budget. If you're planning to make gifts or goodies, that's OK, too. "Whatever the gift is, it should fit with your ability level, what you're capable of giving and comfortable giving," said Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute and great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post, who authored "Etiquette" in 1922. Post makes homemade candy as gifts. She has a more affluent friend who once gave her pricey snow boots for Christmas, which Post treasured. "Her generosity was so at the heart of the gift, and she knows that my heart is at the center of my homemade gifts," she said. People are also reading... 1 in 4 people say they’ll go into debt for the holidays. Is social media to blame? Be sensitive to traditions that your family has set or that you have set for yourself. "Is this someone expecting a gift because you've always exchanged gifts?" said Maralee McKee, the founder of the Etiquette School of America in Orlando, Fla. "If you want to change any of those gift-exchanging traditions, you need to let them know as soon as possible." Know that just because you give doesn't mean that person will reciprocate. Others might be on a tight budget or from a different faith where gift-giving this time of year isn't the norm. "It's worth recognizing that if you get something for someone," Post said, "they are not obligated to get something for you in return." As families expand and evolve, they frequently limit purchases. "Lots of families celebrating at home do a gift exchange where they give to one person rather than everybody," Post said. But if you have a visitor — for example, your brother's new girlfriend who will be with you for a Christmas morning gift exchange — then make sure you have a little something wrapped up for that person as well, McKee said. 2024 holiday mailing tips: Deadlines, packaging advice and more things to know First things first, consult Human Resources. The company might have a policy regarding gifts. If you're the boss and choose to give, be equal and give the same gift across the staff. Alternatively, offer a shared event depending on the size of the group. The big exception is if you have an executive admin or personal assistant who keeps you organized. That role deserves a larger thank you, but you may want to give the gift privately. The standard advice is not to give a gift to a higher-up, though a staff might decide on a group present like a gift card and ask for only voluntary contributions. "We used to say, 'You never gift up the ladder because it can look like you're trying to gain favor,'" Post said. Some want to give presents to specific friends at work but not to everyone at the office. In that case, do the gift exchange outside the office, Post said. Why your favorite catalogs are smaller this holiday season Regifting has its place in the world but not if you thoughtlessly leave the original birthday wrapping on what's intended as a Christmas gift, Post said. "There are definitely times when regifting is you just getting rid of junk," she said. Post's four rules of regifting: The present should be in original packaging with all components; it shouldn't be something personalized to you; you should be 99% sure recipients wouldn't mind that it was a regift if they were to find out; and the item should be pleasing. Post recalls a friend who received an octopus-shaped ceramic planter. "There was no way she could regift that," Post said. The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels 9 holiday gifts to hit the right note for music lovers Small, luxury foods are great as stocking stuffers or other gifts. Ideas for under $50 Game-changing holiday gifts for building fires, printing photos, watching birds and more Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

NEW YORK — The last of the crystal triangles that make up this year's Times Square New Year's Eve ball were installed Friday morning. It's the first time in 10 years that all 2,688 were replaced at once. Singer Pitbull attends the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Crystal Installation on Friday at One Times Square in New York. Rapper Pitbull and inventor Joy Mangano were among those on hand to help the organizers of the celebration put the final pieces in place atop One Times Square, the skyscraper from which the 11,875-pound geodesic sphere drops to mark the new year. Singer Pitbull, left, and Joy Mangano, right, founder of CleanBoss, install a crystal Friday during the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Crystal Installation at One Times Square in New York. A New Year's Eve ball was first dropped in Times Square in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound, 5-foot diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt lightbulbs. Six newer versions of the ball were featured in the century-plus since that first celebration. Times Square New Year's Eve Ball is displayed Friday at One Times Square in New York. The only years no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly "dimout" during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square. As the new year approaches, many people begin thinking about their resolutions—typically focusing on physical health, saving money, or spending more time with family. One area that often gets overlooked is mental health. The pressure to "get fit" or "eat better" is well-known, but taking care of mental well-being is just as important as improving physical health, especially since mental health impacts every aspect of life. At first glance, mental health goals can seem intangible and subjective, but there are scientifically-proven ways to set achievable, measurable, and personalized mental wellness goals that will help anyone thrive in 2025. Vivian Chung Easton, a mental health therapist at Blueprint , a company focused on building AI-powered tools to help therapists, shares recommendations for setting mental health resolutions. One of the most important mental wellness goals for 2025 is to prioritize self-compassion and resilience. In a culture that often celebrates hustle and perfection, it's easy to push yourself too hard, setting unrealistic expectations that only add to stress and anxiety. But research shows that self-compassion and resilience are critical factors in coping with stress and maintaining long-term mental well-being. A 2021 study by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer highlights that self-compassion—treating yourself with kindness when things don't go as planned—can reduce emotional distress and improve resilience. Instead of criticism for not meeting a goal or making a mistake, practice affirmations or positive self-talk. A simple goal, like being kinder to yourself during setbacks, can help reduce stress and boost mental wellness. A goal can look something like this: Making room for self-compassion this year can be a transformative step toward building resilience and enhancing overall mental health. Social connection is one of the most important factors in mental wellness, yet it's often overlooked in favor of individual self-improvement goals. Physical isolation can lead to loneliness, but social isolation is also strongly linked to mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, according to a study by Juliannee Holt-Lundstad. Meaningful relationships and community support can improve how satisfied you feel in your life on a day-to-day basis. This year, make it a goal to strengthen and nurture social connections, whether that means reconnecting with old friends, regularly scheduling family time, or joining social groups and clubs—like a book club, gym, or church group. For example, a social wellness goal can look like: Building mental wellness isn't just about managing thoughts and feelings; it's also about fostering a strong support network. Social connections are integral to building emotional resilience. Just as physical fitness is associated with physical health, mindfulness is often associated with mental fitness. However, practicing mindfulness is just as important as going for a run or lifting weights when it comes to mental wellness. Mindfulness-based practices—such as meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises—have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve focus, and boost emotional well-being according to research by Stefan Hofman in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Incorporating mindfulness into a routine doesn't have to be time-consuming or difficult. Start small by committing to 5–10 minutes of mindfulness practice a few times a week . Focus on breath, practice guided meditation, or even engage in mindful walking or eating. A simple goal might be: These exercises are called a practice for a reason: doing them consistently and often can strengthen your ability over time. These practices not only reduce stress in the moment but also help to build resilience over time, making it easier to handle future challenges. Whatever New Year's resolution you might have, a large obstacle is setting goals that are too ambitious or unrealistic. Whether it's aiming to exercise every day or cutting out all sugar, overambitious goals can lead to burnout and disappointment when progress isn't immediate. This is especially true for mental health goals, which often require patience and consistency. Using these suggestions for mental health goals, focus on how to personalize them to make them realistic and achievable for your life. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that people are more likely to succeed in their resolutions when they set realistic and incremental goals. Instead of vague, broad goals like "be happier" or "stress less," focus on small, concrete actions that can lead to big changes over time. One effective approach is to use SMART goals—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example: These specific, measurable actions make it easier to track progress and feel a sense of accomplishment along the way. Plus, they're more realistic and achievable, which increases your chances of success. It happens every year—gyms always seem to empty out before spring starts. One of the challenges of New Year's resolutions is that many people abandon their goals as early as January. However, mental health goals require ongoing attention and flexibility. Unlike weight loss or fitness goals, mental wellness is a journey, not an endpoint. Regularly tracking progress is essential. By setting aside time to evaluate personal progress, it's easier to adjust your goals and make necessary changes to keep things on track. Research shows that regular goal check-ins increase the likelihood of long-term success. Consider setting quarterly check-ins with yourself to assess your mental health goals: If you're not meeting your targets, adjust them to make them more realistic. Mental health progress doesn't always follow a straight line, so it's important to be flexible and forgiving with yourself. The new year is inherently a time of change, and that can be a helpful mindset in seeing new potential for growth and taking action. As you set your resolutions for 2025, don't forget to prioritize mental wellness. By focusing on achievable, realistic goals—you're setting yourself up for a healthier, more fulfilling year. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and nurturing it can help to reach other goals more effectively. Even if, in a month or two, you feel like you're falling behind—mental health goals can and should be flexible and adaptable. You can always adjust your approach if things aren't serving you, and check in with yourself regularly to stay on track. Goals are personal, and you're always in control. Here's to a year of growth, balance, and emotional well-being in 2025. This stor y was produced by Blueprint and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Photo Credit: Alberto Menendez Cervero / Shutterstock As anyone who’s ever started a business knows, getting one off the ground is not for the faint of heart. Entrepreneurs face numerous challenges in the early years, from solidifying business plans to navigating the complexities of hiring employees and acquiring licenses and insurance. These hurdles often determine the fate of a startup, making the journey from an idea to a successful enterprise both difficult and uncertain. Each year, millions of Americans file new business applications , but only a fraction of these ventures transition to hiring employees. Among those that do, surviving the critical first few years can still be an uphill battle. However, survival rates differ significantly by location, influenced by a variety of factors such as economic conditions, state policies, and industry-specific demand. The good news is that businesses that weather the initial hurdles see a much greater likelihood of long-term success. This analysis explores the states where new businesses are most likely to survive their earliest years based on the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The findings reveal important insights into how location and time impact the chances of business success. The chances of staying in business increase dramatically after the first few years Source: Simply Business analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Simply Business One of the most significant challenges for new business owners is simply staying in operation. The risk of failure is highest during the first year, but it diminishes considerably over time. For those businesses that survive the initial hurdles, the likelihood of long-term success grows each year. According to recent BLS data, only about 79% of businesses survive their first year, making it the most difficult period for startups. However, for businesses that survive their first year, roughly 85% make it to the next. By the fifth year, 91% of businesses manage to continue operations, and for those that reach the 10-year mark, an impressive 93% make it through to another year. These figures underscore the importance of persistence and adaptability, especially during the critical early years when the risk of failure is highest. They also highlight that while starting a business is undeniably challenging, those who endure the startup years enjoy far better odds moving forward. Washington & California lead the country in new business survival rates Source: Simply Business analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Simply Business New business success varies widely across the United States, with some states providing a more favorable environment for startups to thrive. Based on survival rates for the first three years of operation, Washington and California stand out as the nation’s leading states. Washington claims the top spot, with businesses in the state enjoying an 86.4% chance of surviving their first year, 89.3% in their second year, and an impressive 91.8% in their third year. These figures highlight Washington's robust support for young businesses, likely fueled by its thriving tech ecosystem and a generally favorable economic climate. California ranks second, with survival rates of 86.0% in the first year, 89.8% in the second, and 91.4% in the third. Despite challenges such as high costs of living and regulatory complexities, California’s strong economy, innovation hubs, and access to venture capital contribute to its high ranking. Outside of the West Coast, West Virginia —whose economy is deeply rooted in energy production, natural resources, and manufacturing—ranks third, boasting the highest third-year survival rates at 91.9%. North Carolina —a major banking center and home of the Research Triangle—follows closely with similar numbers. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Minnesota businesses face the toughest challenges in their early years, with only 72.3% surviving their first year and 80.2% their second. These regional differences highlight the importance of local economic conditions in shaping a startup's odds of success. For entrepreneurs planning their next move, this analysis offers insight into where businesses are thriving and where challenges are more pronounced. Factors like industry presence, regulatory environments, and access to resources can create opportunities—or hurdles—that significantly affect survival rates in the critical early years. Choosing the right location isn’t just about personal preference; it can mean the difference between failure and success. This analysis was conducted by Simply Business —an online insurance marketplace for small businesses—using 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For complete results, see the original post: States Where New Businesses Are Most Likely to Succeed . Photo Credit: Alberto Menendez Cervero / Shutterstock The data in this report comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Business Employment Dynamics . To determine the states where new businesses are most likely to succeed, researchers at Simply Business developed a business survival index. This index is based on a weighted average of the most recent survival rates for private-sector establishments during their first, second, and third years of operation, as of March 2024. The survival rates were calculated using sequential benchmarks. The first-year survival rate is the percentage of businesses still active one year after opening. The second-year rate is the percentage of those first-year survivors that remained operational for another year. Similarly, the third-year rate is the percentage of second-year survivors that continued into the following year. The data focuses exclusively on private-sector businesses with at least one employee. For complete results, see States Where New Businesses Are Most Likely to Succeed on Simply Business. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Update your iPhone NOW: Apple releases iOS 18.1.1 with 'important security fixes' - here's how to...For Djaniele Taylor, attending WNBA games was the perfect way to rediscover a sense of community coming out of the long slog of pandemic-era lockdowns. The 38-year-old Evanston, Illinois, resident has regularly attended Chicago Sky games for the last three seasons, after she watched the team win its first championship in 2021. As a queer Black fan, she felt the games were a supportive and safe sporting environment. “I was hooked and I loved the atmosphere — it was very queer-friendly, very family-oriented, very diverse,” she said. As the popularity of the WNBA skyrocketed this year, Taylor watched the price of her season tickets more than double since 2022. With the growth, she noted a “darker vibe shift,” too: What always felt like a positive setting started to take a more hostile turn at times. As women’s sports set new records for attendance and viewership, Taylor and other longtime fans watched with optimism — and unease. It’s a cycle female athletes and fans of women’s sports have come to recognize: With the increased and sought-after visibility also comes added scrutiny — as well as harassment and online abuse toward some players. This year, fresh off the NCAA spotlight, former college basketball stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese made their WNBA debut for the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, catapulting their personal brands as well as the popularity of the league among viewers. Fans are tuning in for the love of the sport, as they always have, said Amira Rose Davis, assistant professor in the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas-Austin. But they’re also drawn by the dynamics between players like Clark and Reese, who faced each other in the 2023 NCAA championship between the University of Iowa and Louisiana State University. While both deny there’s any bad blood between them, tension has been drummed up by fans and increased media attention. Beneath it are racial undertones that originated while the two played in college — with predominantly white Iowa pitted against predominantly Black LSU, and Clark and Reese “emerging as these kind of archetypes that people can run with,” Davis said. “That really raises the engagement and just the raw numbers of viewership. And then it also solidifies those narratives,” she said. It’s also led to harassment and abuse — much of it racially motivated and directed at players of color across the league and the wider sports landscape. “Angel and Caitlin have given us an incredible platform to talk about how we treat Black and white athletes differently in the media,” said E.R. Fightmaster, co-host of Jockular, a podcast on the intersection of women’s sports and queer identity. During the playoff matchup in September between the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever, the Sun’s DiJonai Carrington posted an email she received with a racial slur and graphic death and sexual assault threats. Her teammate, Alyssa Thomas, shared her own experience. “In my 11-year career, I’ve never experienced racial comments (like) from the Indiana Fever fan base,” Thomas said, after the Sun eliminated the Fever from the playoffs. For her part, Clark has disavowed the toxic discourse, though some say she hasn’t done enough to try to rein in the racism by some of her Indiana Fever fans. “People should not be using my name to push those agendas. It’s disappointing. It’s not acceptable,” Clark said back in June. ”Treating every single woman in this league with the same amount of respect, I think, it’s just a basic human thing that everybody should do.” At the end of the 2024 season after facing some criticism for initially failing to condemn the harassment, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said, “There’s no place in sports for this,” and vowed to attack it “multidimensionally.” The league should have done a better job preparing for the harassment, said Frankie de la Cretaz, a freelance writer whose work explores sports, culture and queer identity. “They should have seen it coming based on the discourse between fans around Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese in college.” The NCAA released a study in October showing online abuse toward student-athletes peaked during March Madness, with women’s basketball players receiving three times more threats than men’s players. For the first time in March Madness history, the women’s championship game drew more viewers this year than the men’s. “It’s very exciting, of course, to see the increased visibility of that increased popularity, but it is extremely concerning and disappointing to see what has come along with that,” said Lynn Holzman, vice president for NCAA women’s basketball. A similar study found racist and sexist posts aimed at female athletes made up nearly half of all monitored abusive posts during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. At the summer games, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif faced hateful comments and false accusations about her gender leading up to her gold medal win. The false narratives, perpetuated by internet trolls and public figures like President-elect Donald Trump and “Harry Potter” author J. K. Rowling, highlighted how female athletes of color have faced disproportionate scrutiny and discrimination when it comes to sex testing and false accusations that they are male or transgender. “People want a chance to delegitimize successful women all the time. And so if you are a successful boxer and they can’t find anything else to pick on, they are going to say that you are too manly to play,” Fightmaster said. Khelif urged an end to bullying athletes. “It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind,” she said. The issue of transgender women competing in women’s sports has been highly polarized this year. A former University of Kentucky swimmer was among a dozen athletes filing a federal lawsuit against the NCAA in March, accusing it of violating Title IX rights by allowing a transgender woman, Lia Thomas, to compete at the 2022 national championships. The lawsuit also cited unconfirmed reports that a transgender woman was playing on the San Jose State women’s volleyball team. This fall, colleges began dropping out of matches with San Jose State, which has not confirmed it has a trans woman on the team. The Associated Press has withheld the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity. But that hasn’t stopped politicians from shaping campaigns around keeping transgender women out of women’s sports or wading into the polarizing debate on fairness. About half of U.S. states have a ban on transgender athletes participating in school sports according to their gender identity. This year, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu signed a law banning transgender athletes from grades 5-12. Ohio banned trans athletes as young as kindergarteners. West Virginia and Idaho are looking to the U.S. Supreme Court to support their bans. Even as women’s sports reach new heights in viewership and with it ticket sales and lucrative deals, inequalities persist, including disparities in pay, the quality of women’s sports facilities and online harassment of female athletes. “It’s disingenuous to me if we are going to celebrate the rise of women’s sports but not address the ways in which we’re treating women athletes differently,” said Cheryl Cooky, professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Purdue University. “My hope is that the rise of women’s sports can happen in absence of the vitriolic rhetoric that we’ve seen.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Manhunt continues for gunman in ‘brazen, targeted attack’ on UnitedHealthcare CEOPresident-elect Donald Trump launched a new line of fragrances with the Trump name on Friday. The collection named "Fight, Fight , Fight," had First Lady Jill Biden's image on it with the tagline, "A Fragrance Your Enemies Can't Resist." Trump announced about the fragrances on his social media platform, Truth Social. He said, "Here are my new Trump Perfumes and Colognes! I call them Fight, Fight, Fight, because they represent us WINNING. Great Christmas gifts for the family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!" The word Fight featured in every perfume bottles symbolised strength. Trump also yelled these words after he was shot during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July of this year. How Much Are These Priced At? The new perfumes are priced between $199 and $298 and are available in both women and men's colognes. Social Media Reacts To The New Launch The new launch of Trump's perfume collection prompted many reactions from social media users. One user on X said, "lmao I love him but the merch gift is insane." Another person wrote, "What are we going to do when he’s gone and we get some boring president with no sense of humor?" "You should send every Democrat a bottle for Christmas," commented a third person. "Best marketing strategy ever," added a fourth person on the Elon Musk-led website. "Trump already had his first customer for his new perfume," said a fifth user on X. Other Products Of Trump This was not his first product release. The 78-year-old also introduced a premium collection of watches, which also gained popularity. Trump's collection include gold and silver toned watches priced between $499 and $799. He also launched a footwear, "Never-Surrender High Top Sneakers" and a book called, "God Bless The USA." Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.

The grants, from Torfaen County Borough Council, aim to help ensure the long-term viability of the social enterprises which operate commercial projects supporting communities. As part of the Social Enterprise Challenge grants, launched by the council’s Building Resilient Communities team in the summer, organisations will be given training and supported to develop a 12-month sustainability plan. Mathew Bartlett, from Hope for the Community Project based at the Sharon Full Gospel Church, said: “Our project supports the community in Pontypool by providing a cafe and shop to help with food and fuel costs during the cost-of-living crisis. “The grant will help us advertise and grow our business model to make this important work sustainable long-term.” Nathan Daniel, at Mentroar, a new social enterprise that provides support and personal mentoring to young people and adults with behavioural and emotional challenges, said: “We’re looking to use sport, fitness, outdoor activities, and peer mentoring to improve mental health and wellbeing. "This programme will drive us forward, enabling us to support more people and be a catalyst for positive change.” The other successful enterprises are: • BB Sustainable Tourism: Opening a second retail shop in Blaenavon to boost the local economy with eco-conscious products. • Cwmbran Centre for Young People: Expanding training sessions, meeting facilities, and a youth gym. • Llanyravon Manor Farm: Re-opening Community Tea Rooms and hosting monthly markets. • Ponthir Village Hall: Upgrading facilities to offer a wedding venue and community shops. • Tasty Not Wasty: Expanding a community fridge and pay-as-you-feel café. • Torfaen Talks: Providing pay-what-you-can counselling and mental health sessions. There are estimated to be more than 30 social enterprises in Torfaen, including social care providers, recycling projects, and food co-operatives. Cllr Fiona Cross, executive member of communities, said: “As part of our Community Well-being Strategy, we aim to support organisations like social enterprises to identify gaps in local services and to work with them to provide long-term, sustainable solutions.” The Social Enterprise Challenge has received £315,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.Ukraine's ambassador has chillingly warned "World War Three has already begun" - and admitted only the West can save itself by backing Kyiv. That is the warning from Valeriy Zaluzhny, 51, who commanded Ukrainian troops when they halted Vladimir Putin ’s army as it intended to storm Kyiv in three days. He is now Ukraine ’s ambassador to London. “I believe that in 2024 we can absolutely definitely consider that the Third World War has begun,” he said in a speech to a Ukrainian Pravda awards ceremony. "Ukraine no longer faces only Russia ", he said. “In front of Ukraine are soldiers from North Korea. Let's be honest — Iranian ‘Shaheds’ [kamikaze drones] are already killing civilians in Ukraine quite openly, without any shyness. North Korean-made missiles are already flying into Ukraine, and they openly declare this.” Kim Jong Un troops numbering some 10,000-pls are believed to be engaged against Ukraine’s forces in Russia’s Kursk region. “Chinese shells are detonated in Ukraine. Chinese parts are used in Russian missiles.” Most military experts believe WW3 has started, said Zaluzhny. "What has been expected for so long, it has already begun,” he said. “But I want to say that God himself gives a chance, not only to Ukraine, but also to the whole world , so that now we still have time to reach the right conclusions. “Everything can still be stopped here, on the territory of Ukraine. But for some reason our [Western] partners do not want to understand this. It is obvious that Ukraine already has too many enemies. Ukraine will survive at the expense of technology , but it is unknown whether it will be able to win this battle on its own." Yet he was optimistic the West would rally to Ukraine, as the next presidency of Donal Trump comes into view in January. “I believe that [regarding the start of] the World War, welcome - it has begun,” said Zalushny. It comes as the Kremlin fired a new intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine on Thursday in response to Kyiv’s use this week of American and British missiles capable of striking deeper into Russia, Vladimir Putin said. In a televised address to the country, the Russian president warned that US air defence systems would be powerless to stop the new missile, which he said flies at Mach 10 and which he called the Oreshnik — Russian for hazelnut tree. He also said it could be used to attack any Ukrainian ally whose missiles are used to attack Russia. “We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities,” Putin said in his first comments since President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light this month to use U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike at limited targets inside Russia.

Lily-Rose Depp thinks it is "important to protect" her private lifeI' M A Celebrity's campmates are convinced Maura Higgins is '100% walking' - after spotting a clue that she'll quit. Love Island star Maura and Reverend Richard Coles are this year's jungle late arrivals. 4 GK Barry made a bold prediction to her fellow celebrities Credit: ITV 4 Richard and Maura deceived the main camp at the latest Bushtucker Trial Credit: Rex 4 This year's late arrivals have been secretly enjoying luxuries and advantages Credit: Rex The pair are living in small, unsanitary "Junkyard" camp - although it comes with a major twist. As the main camp faced another rainy morning, internet personality GK Barry made a major prediction. She said: "But do you know what, poor Maura and Richard. "If they have to stay down there another night, Maura's walking. Read more on Maura Higgins MAUR BUBBLES Maura Higgins strips to bikini for bubble bath as she's hailed 'next winner' FAMILIAR FACE Maura Higgins breaks her silence on awkwardly sharing a camp with ex’s dad "Maura's 100% walking." As viewers know, Maura and Richard have secretly been enjoying a life of luxury . The other celebs believe the pair have been living in squalor - and lacking basic requirements. If Maura and Richard successfully maintain the lie, everyone will enjoy a "junk food buffet." Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 'FIGHTER' Tulisa's ex makes surprise admission about her changing face amid heath battles FAMILIAR FACE Maura Higgins breaks her silence on awkwardly sharing a camp with ex’s dad Mum's the word Inside I'm A Celeb star Tulisa's turbulent relationship with mum beaten down I’m A Celeb’s Sam Thompson begs producers to check on 'missing’ campmate Meanwhile, Friday's episode saw the Junkyard secret take a brand new direction. Dean McCullough and Danny Jones took on the latest trial, "High Street Of Horrors." Dean McCullough 'looks fuming' as Ant McPartlin takes another swipe at him after fans spot I'm A Celeb feud Covering themselves in feathers, Maura and Richard had to pretend they'd miserably failed - winning no stars for their smaller camp. After Dean and Danny's eight-star winning effort, they chose Dean to join them in the Junkyard. Now in on the secret, he enjoyed the secret luxuries and advantage of the other camp. The jig may soon be up, however, as Coleen Rooney appears to have sussed out the ruse. Returning from a visit to the Junkyard, she confided her suspicions to the others. Coleen revealed she thought the other trio looked "more content" than their dire circumstances suggested. I'm A Celebrity 2024 i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher. Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth." Soon after, other campmates chimed in with their own observations. McFly's Danny Jones deduced the duo had faked doing his and Dean's trial. Read more on the Scottish Sun COMIC'S CASTLE Still Game star takes £150,000 hit to offload luxury £4m Scots castle HITTING THE HIGH NOTES Much-loved pub named best music bar in Scotland Meanwhile, Melvin Odoom realised they'd only pretended do a disgusting challenge with him. I'm A Celebrity airs on ITV1 and ITVX. 4 GK Barry predicted Maura could walk - unaware of the full situation Credit: Rex

Jonathan Esmerio takes reins of Loxon group of companies

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short. The Wolverines started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25, making them the third college football team since 1991 to be ranked worse than seventh in the preseason poll after winning a national title. Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) failed to meet those modest expectations, barely becoming eligible to play in a bowl and putting the program in danger of losing six or seven games for the first time since the Brady Hoke era ended a decade ago. The Wolverines potentially can ease some of the pain with a win against rival and second-ranked Ohio State (10-1, 7-1, No. 2 CFP) on Saturday in the Horseshoe, but that would be a stunning upset. Ohio State is a 21 1/2-point favorite, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook, and that marks just the third time this century that there has been a spread of at least 20 1/2 points in what is known as "The Game." People are also reading... Michigan coach Sherrone Moore doesn't sound like someone who is motivating players with an underdog mentality. "I don't think none of that matters in this game," Moore said Monday. "It doesn't matter the records. It doesn't matter anything. The spread, that doesn't matter." How did Michigan end up with a relative mess of a season on the field, coming off its first national title since 1997? Winning it all with a coach and star player contemplating being in the NFL for the 2024 season seemed to have unintended consequences for the current squad. The Wolverines closed the College Football Playoff with a win over Washington on Jan. 8; several days later quarterback J.J. McCarthy announced he was skipping his senior season; and it took more than another week for Jim Harbaugh to bolt to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. In the meantime, most quality quarterbacks wanting to transfer had already enrolled at other schools and Moore was left with lackluster options. Davis Warren beat out Alex Orji to be the team's quarterback for the opener and later lost the job to Orji only to get it back again. No matter who was under center, however, would've likely struggled this year behind an offensive line that sent six players to the NFL. The Wolverines lost one of their top players on defense, safety Rod Moore, to a season-ending injury last spring and another one, preseason All-America cornerback Will Johnson, hasn't played in more than a month because of an injury. The Buckeyes are not planning to show any mercy after losing three straight in the series. "We're going to attack them," Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer said. "We know they're going to come in here swinging, too, and they've still got a good team even though the record doesn't indicate it. This game, it never matters what the records are." While a win would not suddenly make the Wolverines' season a success, it could help Moore build some momentum a week after top-rated freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. "You come to Michigan to beat Ohio," said defensive back Quinten Johnson, intentionally leaving the word State out when referring to the rival. "That's one of the pillars of the Michigan football program. "It doesn't necessarily change the fact of where we are in the season, but it definitely is one of the defining moments of your career here at Michigan." AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning "things do change." Here's a look at some of the issues covered: Trump hems on whether trade penalties could raise prices Trump threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn't believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won't be paying more as they shop. "I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow," Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich." He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. "All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field," Trump said. Trump suggests retribution for his opponents while claiming no interest in vengeance He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. "Honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump's role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: "I have the absolute right. I'm the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I'm the president. But I'm not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee," Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, "No," and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. At another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. "I want her to do what she wants to do," he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, "I'm not looking to go back into the past." Swift action on immigration is coming Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. "I think you have to do it," he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end "birthright" citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — though such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and were shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, "I want to work something out," indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not "want to be breaking up families" of mixed legal status, "so the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." Trump commits to NATO, with conditions, and waffles on Putin and Ukraine Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he "absolutely" would remain in the alliance "if they pay their bills." Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies' commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated "fairly" on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin's invasion. "Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure," Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump called for an immediate cease-fire. Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged. "I haven't spoken to him recently," Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to "impede the negotiation." Trump says Powell is safe at the Fed, but not Wray at the FBI The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy, including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: "Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious" that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump's pick for FBI chief, then "he's going to be taking somebody's place, right? Somebody is the man that you're talking about." Trump is absolute about Social Security, not so much on abortion and health insurance Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. "We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient," he said. He added that "we're not raising ages or any of that stuff." He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would "probably" not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, "Well, I commit. I mean, are — things do — things change. I think they change." Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had "concepts" of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called "lousy health care." He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for "better health care for less money."Bitdeer Announces Proposed Private Placement of US$360.0 Million of Convertible Senior Notes

By Tim Starks December 5, 2024 Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel presented draft regulations Thursday to fellow commissioners that would for the first time require telecom companies to upgrade cyber defenses under a federal wiretapping law, or face fines. The draft rules are a response to alarming breaches of telecom providers by Chinese government hackers known as Salt Typhoon . The breaches have drawn scrutiny on how those hackers exploited the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), the means by which telecom carriers are obligated to provide law enforcement access to their systems. “The cybersecurity of our nation’s communications critical infrastructure is essential to promoting national security, public safety, and economic security,” Rosenworcel said in a statement. “As technology continues to advance, so does the capabilities of adversaries, which means the U.S. must adapt and reinforce our defenses. “While the Commission’s counterparts in the intelligence community are determining the scope and impact of the Salt Typhoon attack, we need to put in place a modern framework to help companies secure their networks and better prevent and respond to cyberattacks in the communications sector in the future,” she said. The potentially yearslong intrusions of at least eight U.S. telecom companies have spurred Hill briefings , a looming Cyber Safety Review Board probe , upcoming congressional hearings and exclamations that the breaches amount to the worst telecom hack in U.S. history, in addition to global ramifications. Under the rules that would take effect immediately, commissioners “may choose to vote on them at any moment,” according to an FCC fact sheet . Specifically, the FCC declaratory ruling “creates a legal obligation for telecommunications carriers to secure their networks against unlawful access and interception” under CALEA, the FCC fact sheet explained. Multiple lawmakers have called on the FCC to take action similar to what Rosenworsel proposed under CALEA on Thursday. The FCC also circulated a notice of proposed rulemaking Thursday for an annual cybersecurity risk management plan certification process. The commission has two more scheduled open meetings before the second Trump administration begins. While the 2024 Republican platform discussed the need for minimum cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure, some Trump-aligned parties have suggested he is less likely to welcome cyber regulations than the Biden administration, which has embraced them more vigorously than past administrations. On Wednesday, prior to the proposal of the new rules, Republican FCC chair nominee Brendan Carr commented on the need for action in response to Salt Typhoon. “The Salt Typhoon intrusion is a serious and unacceptable risk to our national security. It should never have happened,” he said on X . “I will be working with national security agencies through the transition and next year in an effort to root out the threat and secure our networks.” Neither Rosenworcel nor Carr had previously committed to the idea of FCC cyber rules tied to CALEA. Jonathan Spalter, president and CEO of USTelecom – The Broadband Association, provided this statement when asked about the FCC proposal. “Securing our networks from cyber threats is a dynamic and evolving process that broadband providers take extremely seriously, harnessing cutting-edge technologies to defend our nation’s critical connectivity infrastructure in the face of military-grade aggression by foreign adversaries,” he said. “Ensuring the security of our customers is our top priority and we will continue to work side-by-side with intelligence agencies, law enforcement and other government partners to identify and address the root causes of cybersecurity incidents.”Joy to the World is one of those classic Christmas carols. Even if you can’t remember all the words, it’s got all the entrapments of a song you can easily hum along to. And it’s extremely popular. Over the remaining 20-plus days in December, you’ll probably hear it a thousand times on the radio or while being blasted over the loudspeakers at your local shopping mall. The song was written in 1719 by English minister, and highly prolific hymn writer, Isacc Watts. Watts is credited with penning some 750 hymns during his life, with Joy to the World achieving the greatest notoriety. More than 200 years later, his song still remains standard fare among church choirs and holiday revelers. Now, for you non-Christmas folk, the holiday version of Joy to the World is not to be confused with the 1971 hit song of the same name by American rock group Three Dog Night. However, you’ve got to admit the Three Dog Night version is still a pretty good song to rock out to. But this is not an article on the history of Christmas carols or of Isaac Watts. Instead, it’s to highlight the exceptional, dare I say joyous, historical performance of the U.S. stock market in the month of December. People are also reading... The S&P 500 tracks the performance of the 500 largest U.S. corporations and is often viewed as the bellwether index for the U.S. stock market. Since 1928, the benchmark S&P 500 has generated a positive return for the month of December 73% of the time – the highest of all months. On average, the S&P 500 has gained 1.25% in December. Its worst performing month is September, which has averaged a loss of 1.13% over the past 97 years. If you include the Thanksgiving holiday, the returns are even more impressive. Since 1928, from Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, the S&P 500 has gained 1.46%. Over the past decade, the S&P 500 has reported a gain in December in seven of the last 10 years with an average gain of around 1.45%. Last year, the S&P 500 posted a hefty 4.42% gain in December but reported a dismal 5.9% loss in December 2022. The worst performing December since 1928 was in 2018 when the S&P 500 declined 9.18%. The best performing December was in 1991 when investors celebrated a massive 11.2% return. There’s no official rationale to the historically strong performance the S&P 500 typically yields in December. Perhaps it’s the general optimism that surrounds the holiday season. Others contend it’s a short-term conviction on the retail holiday shopping season, which is the 61 calendar days in November and December. The holiday shopping season is by far the biggest season for retailers. As consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of all U.S. economic growth, one could argue investors are hopeful the retail holiday shopping season could provide a spark to the economy and future gains in the stock market. But what does history indicate about the first few months of 2025? The results are a bit mixed but certainly don’t match the gusto of historic December returns. Since 1928, the average monthly return for the S&P 500 in January is 1.17% followed by February (-0.9%) and March (0.6%). So far this year, the S&P 500 has gained more than 27%, excluding any dividends. That’s more than three times the historical average annual gain of around 8%. As a side note, when you add-in dividends to the calculation, the average annual return jumps to 10-11%. No one knows for sure exactly what lies ahead for investors in 2025. Each year is a clean slate that starts anew. But I wish you the greatest of success, and fortune, in the upcoming year. Photos: Christmas in LeClaire craft show Father-son duo, Dev, middle, and Luke Travers, right, make wooden clogs at their booth in the LeClaire Civic Center during the Christmas in LeClaire craft show on Friday, December 6. Luke, of Luke's Lost Arts, is a master carver who travels with his father to sell his goods and teach people about the craft. Luke Travers shaves Aspen wood to make a traditional Dutch clog at his booth at the Christmas in LeClaire craft show on Friday. Wooden show plant holders for sale at the Luke's Lost Arts booth. Wooden clogs for sale line a table at the LeClaire Civic Center on Friday. Luke Travers shaves wood from a wooden clog on Friday at the Christmas in LeClaire craft show. Wood shavings litter Master Carver Luke Travers' workstation at the Christmas in LeClaire weekend event. Dev Travers wood burns a design onto the top of a wooden clog. Small clog keychains for sale at the Travers booth at the Christmas in LeClaire craft show. Dev and Luek Travers at their booth at the Christmas in LeClaire. Wooden clogs are carved and decorated at Luke' Lost Arts vendor booth. Scenes from the Christmas in LeClaire craft show on Friday, December 6, in LeClaire. Scenes from the Christmas in LeClaire craft show on Friday, December 6, in LeClaire. Scenes from the Christmas in LeClaire craft show on Friday, December 6, in LeClaire. Scenes from the Christmas in LeClaire craft show on Friday, December 6, in LeClaire. Scenes from the Christmas in LeClaire craft show on Friday, December 6, in LeClaire. Dev Travers poses for a photo at he and his son's booth at the Christmas in LeClaire craft show on Friday, December 6, in LeClaire. Dev Travers shows off his wooden clog bolo tie at Christmas in LeClaire on Friday. Father-son duo, Dev, middle, and Luke Travers, right, make wooden clogs at their booth in the LeClaire Civic Center during the Christmas in LeClaire craft show on Friday, December 6. Luke, of Luke's Lost Arts, is a master carver who travels with his father to sell his goods and teach people about the craft. Mark Grywacheski is an expert in financial markets and economic analysis and is an investment adviser with Quad-Cities Investment Group, Davenport. Disclaimer: Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Any prices or quotations contained herein are indicative only and do not constitute an offer to buy or sell any securities at any given price. Information has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee that the material presented is accurate or that it provides a complete description of the securities, markets or developments mentioned. Quad-Cities Investment Group LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.