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Anne Arundel County’s FY2026 school budget prioritizes special education, early literacy, bilingual learning
Nobel recipient Geoffrey Hinton wishes he thought of AI safety soonerIf you’re sitting on a pile of travel or credit card rewards with no immediate travel plans, donating them to a charity is an easy way to have a positive impact. And it's a popular way to give: In 2021, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members donated around 94 million miles to charities at an approximate cash value of $2.6 million, according to the airline. Beyond the social benefits, miles donations also qualify as activity on your loyalty account and can prevent the rest of your rewards from expiring . But if you’re in the habit of maximizing points and miles, you might also want to stretch the value of your charitable donations as far as possible. And by that measure, some methods of donating points and miles fall short. Here’s what to consider before donating your miles and points . Many loyalty programs make it easy to redeem your points and miles for a donation directly through their rewards portals. But some portals — especially those from airline and hotel programs — don’t publish the cash value a charity will receive for your miles or points. That means the charity may receive less value for your donation than you’d think, while also making it hard to compare the value of a donation with the value of other options for redeeming your points. Best Western Rewards is one of the few loyalty programs that publishes a cash value for charitable points donations. The charity will receive $2 for every 500 points you donate, for a point a value of 0.4 cent each. NerdWallet values Best Western points at 0.6 cent apiece, so you would receive 33% less value for your donation relative to using them for a hotel stay. Generally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) doesn’t count points and miles as a source of income, so if you donate them, you can't deduct the cash value of your gift. This lack of favorable tax treatment for the consumer combined with the uncertain value you’ll often receive for miles and points donations should have you at least consider other avenues for your philanthropic endeavors. Keep in mind that this drawback only matters for taxpayers who itemize deductions on their income tax returns. If you're like most people and take the standard deduction instead of itemizing, you wouldn't be able to get a charitable tax deduction from any donation. Some rewards programs have a minimum donation amount for select charities. For example, you’d have to donate at least 2,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points for a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. That minimum amount makes it tougher to donate points that may be collecting dust in your loyalty account. To maximize the value of your donation, consider a charity that books travel directly with your miles or points rather than donating directly through your loyalty program's portal. For example, Miles4Migrants uses donated airline miles and credit card points to directly book award travel for refugees and asylum seekers. “Instead of maximizing points and miles to book a dream trip, we do it to help refugees reach safe new beginnings,” said Patrick Stouffer, partnerships manager at Miles4Migrants, in an email. Miles4Migrants has redeemed over 775 million donated miles in pursuit of their mission, with a cash value of over $17 million. That expertise allows them to get more value out of every donation. “Our team has the specialized knowledge necessary to stretch the value of every point or mile, ensuring donations go as far as possible,” Stouffer said. “Even if you aren’t able to reap any tax advantages of donating your points, at least you’ll know they made the largest possible impact.” Direct cash donations help avoid the downsides of donating miles and points. If you have a credit card that earns cash back , or if you earn cash rewards through a shopping portal like TopCashBack or Rakuten , consider cashing out and donating those rewards instead of your miles and points. With a cash donation, you’ll know the exact value a charity will receive from your donation and likely qualify for a potential itemized deduction on your taxes. Some rewards programs make this process simple and transparent. Travel rewards programs sometimes incentivize charitable giving by offering bonus points for your cash donations. For example, American Airlines offers 10 AAdvantage miles for every dollar members contribute to the charity Stand Up To Cancer. That extra incentive can be an individual boon for your charitable donation. Just be aware that any points or miles you receive from such promotions will reduce the tax deductibility of your contribution. American Airlines values those bonus miles you receive through donations at 3 cents each. So if you donate $100 and receive 1,000 AAdvantage miles, American values those miles at $30. You’ll receive a tax form declaring those rewards as $30 in income, giving you a qualifying tax deduction of $70. When you donate cash and receive bonus points, the charity still receives your full donation and you get a slug of points. While you'll have to pay taxes on those points, it can still be a big win for your future travel plans. More From NerdWallet Craig Joseph writes for NerdWallet. Email: cjoseph@nerdwallet.com . The article Should You Donate Your Points and Miles to Charity? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The former Labour PM said the death of his newborn daughter in 2002 did “not convince me of the case for assisted dying; it convinced me of the value and imperative of good end-of-life care”. In a rare intervention ahead of the Commons debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday, November 29, Mr Brown shared a glimpse of the time he and his wife Sarah spent with their baby, Jennifer, who died when she was only 11 days old. Writing in the Guardian newspaper, Mr Brown said: “We could only sit with her, hold her tiny hand and be there for her as life ebbed away. She died in our arms. “But those days we spent with her remain among the most precious days of my and Sarah’s lives.” While he acknowledged that at the heart of the assisted dying debate is a “desire to prevent suffering”, the former Labour MP called for a commission on end-of-life care to be set up, instead of the law change which MPs will consider. This commission, he said, should work to create a “fully-funded, 10-year strategy for improved and comprehensive palliative care”. “When only a small fraction of the population are expected to choose assisted dying, would it not be better to focus all our energies on improving all-round hospice care to reach everyone in need of end of life support?” he said. Mr Brown added: “Medical advances that can transform end-of-life care and the horror of people dying alone, as with Covid, have taught us a great deal. “This generation have it in our power to ensure no-one should have to face death alone, uncared for, or subject to avoidable pain.” Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP sponsoring the assisted dying Bill through the Commons, said she was “deeply touched” by Mr Brown’s decision to share his story. The Spen Valley MP said she agreed completely with his calls for better end-of-life care. But Ms Leadbeater added: “He and I agree on very many things but we don’t agree on this. “Only legislation by Parliament can put right what Sir Keir Starmer calls the ‘injustice that we have trapped within our current arrangement’. “The need to address the inability of the current law to provide people with safeguards against coercion and the choice of a better death, and to protect their loved ones from possible prosecution, cannot wait. “So for me it isn’t a case of one or the other. My Bill already includes the need for the Government to report back to Parliament on the availability and quality of palliative care, and I strongly support further detailed examination of its provision. We need to do both.” Though Ms Leadbeater made reference to the Prime Minister as she set out her difference from Mr Brown’s position, Sir Keir has opted not to say whether he will support the Bill. MPs will be given a free vote on the legislation, meaning their political parties will not require them to vote for or against it, and it will be a matter for their personal consideration. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is the latest senior minister to disclose her position on assisted dying, signalling to broadcasters on Friday that she may support the Bill. “I continue to support the principle of needing change but also to ensure that we’ve got the proper safeguards and systems in place,” she told ITV’s Good Morning Britain. Asked if that meant a “yes” when the Bill comes to the Commons, she replied: “I think I last voted on this about 20 years ago and so I have supported the principle in the past and continue to believe that change is needed but we do need to have that debate on the detail and I’ll continue to follow that debate next Friday.”State Farm to give $3M to ISU's new data science program
WASHINGTON — The Commerce Department's eff orts to curb China's and Russia's access to American-made advanced computer chips have been "inadequate" and will need more funding to stymie their ability to manufacture advanced weapons, according to a new report from the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The Biden administration imposed export controls to limit the ability of China and Russia to access U.S.-made chips after Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. The agency's Bureau of Industry and Security, according to the report released this week, does not have the resources to enforce export controls and has been too reliant on U.S. chip makers voluntarily complying with the rules. But the push for bolstering Commerce's export control enforcement comes as the incoming Trump administration says it is looking to dramatically reduce the size and scope of federal government. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new "Department of Government Efficiency" to dismantle parts of the federal government. People are also reading... The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. BIS's budget, about $191 million, has remained essentially fl at since 2010 when adjusted for inflation. "While BIS' budget has been stagnant for a decade, the bureau works diligently around the clock to meet its mission and safeguard U.S. national security," Commerce Department spokesperson Charlie Andrews said in a statement in response to the report. Andrews added that with "necessary resources from Congress" the agency would be "better equipped to address the challenges that come with our evolving national security environment." In a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, chair of the subcommittee, pointed to an audit of Texas Instruments that showed the Russian military continued to acquire components from Texas Instruments through front companies in Hong Kong to illustrate how the export controls are failing as an effective tool. The committee's findings, Blumenthal said, suggest that Texas Instruments "missed clear warning signs" that three companies in its distribution chain had been diverting products to Russia. Texas Instruments did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "While Congress must provide BIS more resources to undertake its critical mission, it is long past time for BIS to make full use of the enforcement powers Congress has conferred upon it and take aggressive steps to cut the flow of U.S. semiconductors into the Russian war machine," Blumenthal wrote. It's not just Texas Instruments that's the issue. The subcommittee in September published a report that found aggregated exports from four major U.S. advanced chip manufacturers nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022 to Armenia and Georgia. Both of those countries are home to front companies known to assist Russia in acquiring advanced chips made in the U.S. despite export controls. China, meanwhile, has created "vast, barely disguised smuggling networks which enable it to continue to harness U.S. technology," the subcommittee report asserts. Washington has been gradually expanding the number of companies affected by such export controls in China, as President Joe Biden's administration has encouraged an expansion of investments in and manufacturing of chips in the U.S. But Chinese companies have found ways to evade export controls in part because of a lack of China subject matter experts and Chinese speakers assigned to Commerce's export control enforcement. The agency's current budget limits the number of international end-use checks, or physical verification overseas of distributors or companies receiving American-made chips that are the supposed end users of products. Currently, Commerce has only 11 export control officers spread around the globe to conduct such checks. The committee made several recommendations in its report, including Congress allocating more money to hire additional personnel to enforce export controls, imposing larger fines on companies that violate controls and requiring periodic reviews of advanced chip companies' export control plans by outside entities. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Trimmers are essential grooming tools that help maintain a polished and confident appearance. With advancements in technology, modern trimmers offer convenience, precision, and versatility. This guide explores some of the top trimmers designed to meet various grooming needs. When it comes to grooming, precision and convenience are essential, and the right trimmer can make all the difference. Whether you're looking to shape your beard, trim your hair, or maintain a neat neckline, a quality trimmer ensures a smooth and efficient experience. With various designs and features, these trimmers are designed to offer precision without the hassle, allowing you to achieve a professional look from the comfort of your own home. In this guide, we’ll explore the best trimmers available, highlighting their performance, ease of use, and key features to help you find the perfect grooming tool. 1. Power Play Nxt Beard Trimmer Image Credit: Marvelof.com Order Now The Power Play Nxt Beard Trimmer is designed for men who prioritize convenience and precision. This trimmer combines a sleek design with powerful performance, making it a great companion for daily grooming. Its ergonomic build ensures easy handling, while its sharp blades provide a clean, hassle-free trim. Key Features: -Advanced blade technology for smooth and precise trimming -Adjustable length settings to suit different grooming styles -Cordless functionality with a long-lasting battery life -Compact and lightweight design for portability -Easy-to-clean detachable head for hygiene -May require frequent charging with heavy use. 2. Philips Multigroom Series 1000 BT1235/15 Skin-Friendly Beard Image Credit: Marvelof.com Order Now The Philips Multigroom Series 1000 BT1235/15 is a versatile grooming tool perfect for maintaining a neat and polished look. Its skin-friendly design ensures comfort, even for sensitive skin, making it an ideal choice for precise grooming. Key Features: -Skin-friendly rounded tips to prevent irritation -Compact design for easy handling and precision -Multiple attachments for versatile grooming options -Long-lasting battery for uninterrupted usage -Easy maintenance with detachable and washable parts -Limited power compared to more advanced models. 3. WINSTON 4 in 1 Bikini & Body Trimmer with Free Aloe Toner Image Credit: Marvelof.com Order Now The WINSTON 4 in 1 Bikini & Body Trimmer is a comprehensive grooming solution tailored for women. With its multiple functionalities and a free aloe toner, it ensures smooth and irritation-free grooming for sensitive areas. Key Features: -Four attachments for versatile grooming needs -Gentle and precise trimming for sensitive skin -Ergonomic design for comfortable usage -Cordless operation with rechargeable battery -Comes with a soothing aloe toner for post-grooming care -May not be ideal for heavy-duty trimming tasks. 4. Groomiist CS-42 IPX6 Waterproof Corded & Cordless Beard Trimmer Image Credit: Marvelof.com Order Now The Groomiist CS-42 is a robust and versatile trimmer designed to deliver consistent performance. Its waterproof build and dual functionality make it a convenient tool for both dry and wet grooming sessions. Key Features: -IPX6 waterproof design for hassle-free cleaning -Corded and cordless operation for flexibility -High-performance motor for precise trimming -Multiple length settings for various grooming styles -Long battery life with fast charging capability -Slightly bulkier compared to other compact models. Conclusion: A good trimmer is an essential tool for maintaining a neat and confident appearance, whether for everyday grooming or special occasions. The products mentioned in this article offer a variety of features tailored to different needs, ensuring comfort, precision, and convenience. From skin-friendly designs to versatile attachments and long-lasting performance, these trimmers cater to diverse preferences. Selecting the right trimmer can simplify your grooming routine while helping you achieve a polished look effortlessly. Explore these options and find the one that suits your requirements best, ensuring you always put your best self forward. Disclaimer: Above mentioned article is a sponsored feature. This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever. Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.
Three-game skid over, NC State faces winless Coppin StateEven before Trump is inaugurated, the USA and China are beginning a trade war Even though Donald Trump has not yet taken office, the USA and Chins are getting ready for a trade war. China’s reaction seems to have come because Mr Trump has been threatening to slap tariffs on Chinese imports, which he has doubled down on by his threat to BRICS nations to impose tariffs on them if they tried to develop an alternative joint currency to replace the dollar as the world’s reserve currency. Publicly, Chinese leaders have said that a trade war would suit no one, but they have been preparing for such a clash. Of course, such a clash will not help the world. If China has become the ‘workshop of the world’, the USA is its largest customer. Mr Trump has a choice: engage in full-fledged trade war, or back off, and just take token steps to satisfy his base. China exports to the USA because its consumers find Chinese manufactures good enough and cheap enough to buy. If US manufacturers produced goods cheaper and better than Chinese, they would sell. The last time, as President, Mr Trump ended the trade war when China agreed to buy more soybeans to serve as cattle feed. This time, one of the cards China looks likely to play is to buy more US oil and LNG. Trade in hydrocarbons is bad for the environment, but Mr Trump is one of the climate change deniers. However, he might want to rethink a strategy which involves selling more primary products. Chinese manufacturers want to have access to technologically sophisticated products, such as computer chips. It is not as if China is worse at producing commodities than the USA. However, Mr Trump should realize that China is already ahead in such key fields of the future, such as green energy and electric vehicles, and an exchange would be fruitful. He must also avoid driving China to seek advanced technology from Europe, as it has bfgun to do. Pakistan must tread carefully. While it is hardly an economic powerhouse, its economic ties to China are greater than the USA. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s decision-makers tend to think in purely geopolitical terms, and make decisions accordingly.Pakistan must think in this case with its pocketbook, and keep a weather eye open for how the USA will bring India into play against China on the economic front. In his last term, Trump din’t make nice to India for nothing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
( MENAFN - Chainwire) Dubai, UAE, December 20th, 2024, Chainwire On August 28, 2024, Sixteen members of the MEET48 idol group captivated audiences at WebX 2024 with their singing and dancing performances. By the end of the year, MEET48 will have performed across multiple key markets, including Hong Kong, Dubai, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand, highlighting their increasing influence in the global entertainment industry. Blending the charm of traditional idol performances with emerging Web3 technologies, MEET48 aims to redefine fan engagement through innovative digital platforms and decentralized ecosystems. Mars Protocol Beta Launch Announced for Q4 2024 On November 29, MEET48 announced the Beta testing of its Mars Protocol, a new platform within the BNB Chain ecosystem set to officially launch in Q1 2025. Mars Protocol introduces the first AI-driven idol platform, combining elements of AI-Agent technology with Meme coins. Positioned as a next-generation tool in the Web3 idol economy, it integrates text, image, music, and voice-generation technologies to enable dynamic content creation and fan engagement. Mars Protocol also supports the issuance of Meme coins by virtual idols, providing creators and fans with novel ways to interact and engage in decentralized communities. MEET48.ai and the Future of the AI Idol Ecosystem In January 2025, MEET48.ai will launch with over 250 AI idol agents, each capable of issuing Meme coins through Mars Protocol. The platform enables content creators and KOLs to design and deploy their own AI-driven idols, fostering co-creation and collaboration. MEET48.ai further expands its functionality with the AIShowBox tool, allowing users to create custom content and participate in an active DAO-driven community. With integrated text-to-image, text-to-music, and music-to-dance capabilities, the platform enhances user creativity while driving engagement through incentivized rewards. Building a Decentralized Fan Economy With the global fan economy valued in the trillions, MEET48 leverages Web3 technologies to enable decentralized participation and collaboration. Fans can support their favorite idols by purchasing and trading IDOL tokens on the platform's decentralized exchange. Token interactions power voting competitions, content releases, and live events, reinforcing the connection between fans and virtual idols. The MEET48 ecosystem has already achieved significant milestones, including a peak of 537,000 daily active users and 702,000 unique wallets during its“2024 GIPR2” event. On July 22, 2024, MEET48 recorded a 24-hour trading volume of $2.83 million. Participation in the MVB Accelerator Program Recognizing MEET48's strong on-chain performance and innovative approach, the platform was invited to join the 8th season of the MVB Accelerator Program on October 30, 2024. Organized by BNB Chain in collaboration with Binance Labs and CMC Labs, the program supports promising blockchain projects with strategic resources and guidance. How to Cultivate A Virtual Idol MEET48 provides users with the tools to create and develop AI-powered virtual idols on the blockchain. Through the platform's Mars Protocol, users can design virtual idols, tokenize them, and issue Meme coins for community engagement. These AI idols can participate in entertainment, gaming, and social ecosystems, interacting with fans and generating content. Users can enhance idol visibility and popularity by actively promoting tokens, engaging in community events, and participating in DEX trading. Mars Protocol supports large-scale idol voting events, allowing fans to influence idol rankings. Revenue from these events is reinvested into the ecosystem, funding media production, music videos, live streams, and virtual concerts to further develop the idols' presence. Innovating at the Intersection of Entertainment and Web3 MEET48's team brings deep experience in idol entertainment and fan economies, having created one of the largest female idol groups globally. Supported by a $50 million investment in R&D, the team has developed advanced AI models for content creation, including text-to-music and music-to-dance generation. Future applications of MEET48's technology include gaming products, virtual concerts, and more, further expanding the platform's influence within the entertainment and Web3 sectors. About MEET48 MEET48 is recognized as one of the largest Web3 application project teams globally, boasting a 500-member technical and R&D team and a regional operations network covering Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul, and Dubai. MEET48 aims to achieve mass adoption of Web3 technology through an AI UGC content ecosystem focused on AIGC (Animation, Idol, Game, and Comics) and a graphical, intelligent metaverse social foundation tailored to Gen Z entertainment trends. Official Website: https://www.meet48.xyz/ MENAFN19122024007842016840ID1109014757 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.After more than eight days, New York authorities are scaling back the search for a Quebec hiker who went missing in the snow-covered Adirondack Mountains. Léo Dufour, 22, of Vaudreuil, Que., went hiking on Nov. 29 near Allen Mountain in the High Peaks Region, known for its remoteness and rugged terrain. He was expected back the following night. Dozens of New York State Police (NYSP) and forest rangers with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) quickly organized a search effort after locating Dufour's snow-covered car at the trailhead and a set of tracks. Since Dec. 1, the DEC says in a statement, 59 forest rangers searched roughly 640 kilometres by foot and NYSP deployed two helicopters to support those on the ground, transport crews and search by air as weather conditions allowed. Along with heat-detecting technology, known as forward-looking infrared, authorities analyzed Dufour's cellphone data in an effort to pinpoint his location. The Department of Homeland Security was also assisting with communications. But harsh winter weather conditions hampered the search. Léo Dufour, 22, of Vaudreuil, Que., is described as weighing 150 pounds, standing five feet seven inches and having brown hair. (NYSP/Facebook) During a Monday news conference, Incident Cmdr. Jameson Martin with the DEC said it snowed every day since Dufour went missing, temperatures were dipping below -30 C at night and conditions aren't getting any better. Dufour's water bottle was located near the top of Allen Mountain, which stands at 1,323 metres. Around the summit, Capt. Sarah Geesler said the snow is over a metre deep. "The conditions are just brutal," said Martin. Hiking from trailhead to summit is over 15 kilometres of difficult terrain. The search needs to be scaled back so as to not put rangers at further risk, said Martin, expressing his own exhaustion and frustration after more than a week of search efforts. "It's extremely hard," he said. "You obviously want to find Léo alive." New York authorities search for Quebec hiker in rugged Adirondacks As of midnight Tuesday, the effort will transition to a limited continuous search, the DEC says. Active field searches will be suspended but still may include air searches, backcountry patrols and outreach. The operation will upgrade to an active search if any leads regarding the whereabouts of Dufour are realized. Martin said searching will be weather dependent so rangers can be airlifted in and search from the top down, expending less energy just getting to the search location. He said it will likely be a recovery effort, but anything is possible. "If you stop moving, if you don't have the puffy suits to get into, your body is going to shut down in a matter of hours," he said. Search resumes for Quebec hiker in snow-covered Adirondacks Both Martin and Geesler said people should not go searching the area on their own. They said not only are the conditions near impossible in the forest, but the roads are treacherous as well. Martin said rescue services needed to be diverted once already after a would-be volunteer crashed their vehicle. Martin also recommended people don't winter hike alone in the region. Geesler said hiking the summit of Allen Mountain in the winter is possible with the right gear, but carrying a satellite communication device is recommended. Martin said authorities have been in communication with Dufour's family, but will be keeping those conversions private. According to the NYSP, Dufour was known to be wearing a black Arc Teryx Coat, black shell pants, a tan winter hat, a black backpack and reflective sunglasses. He had snowshoes, spikes and other gear. He weighs approximately 150 pounds, stands about five feet seven inches and has brown hair. Anyone with information can contact the NYSP at 518-897-2000.
FDA Grants IDE Approval for the Pivotal Trial of the JuxtaFlow® Renal Assist Device (RAD)Beam Therapeutics Presents New Non-human Primate (NHP) Data Demonstrating Proof-of-concept for ESCAPE, a Non-genotoxic, Antibody-based Conditioning Approach to Treating Sickle Cell Disease, at American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting
NoneROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) — Nick Johnson had 22 points in Winthrop's 102-97 win over Mercer on Saturday. Johnson had five rebounds for the Eagles (10-4). Kasen Harrison shot 7 of 11 from the field, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 8 from the line to add 20 points. Kelton Talford shot 4 of 9 from the field and 10 of 14 from the free-throw line to finish with 18 points. The Bears (6-6) were led in scoring by Ahmad Robinson, who finished with 27 points and seven assists. Tyler Johnson added 19 points for Mercer. Angel Montas finished with 17 points. Winthrop plays Sunday against Indiana on the road, and Mercer visits Georgia State on Saturday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
MALAGA, Spain (AP) — The last man to face — and beat — Rafael Nadal in professional tennis, 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp , converted his 10th match point Friday to finally close out a 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3 victory over Daniel Altmaier and help the Netherlands reach its first Davis Cup final by sweeping Germany. Tallon Griekspoor, who is ranked 40th, sealed the 2-0 win for the Dutch in the best-of-three-match semifinal by hitting 25 aces and coming back to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4. When it ended, appropriately, on an ace, Griekspoor shut his eyes, dropped to his knees and spread his arms wide. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Missouri stuns top-ranked Kansas in 76-67 upsetGordon Brown declares opposition to assisted dying law
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad , but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. “You will see there are skills" among the rebels, al-Sharaa said in a video shared on a rebel messaging channel. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Assad , a decision made by President Vladimir Putin . Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons , security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. “Don’t be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!” In southern Turkey , Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. “I haven’t seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he’s alive.” Jalali, the prime minister, has sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a U.N. official said some government services had been paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” Britain and the U.S. are both considering whether to remove the main anti-Assad rebel group from their lists of designated terrorist organizations. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham began as an offshoot of al-Qaida but cut ties with the group years ago and has worked to present a more moderate image. The group's leader, al-Sharaa, “is saying some of the right things about the protection of minorities, about respecting people’s rights,” British Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said, adding that a change would be considered “quite quickly.” But British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking later during a visit to Saudi Arabia, said it was "far too early” to make that decision. In Washington, a Biden administration official noted that HTS will be an “important component” in Syria's future and that the U.S. needs to “engage with them appropriately.” Another administration official said the U.S. remains in a “wait and see” mode on whether to remove the designation. Both officials requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing internal deliberations. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that such designations are constantly under review. Even while it is in place, the designation does not bar U.S. officials from speaking with members or leaders of the group, he said. The U.S. also announced it was sending its special envoy for hostage affairs to Beirut to seek information about the whereabouts of Austin Tice, a journalist who vanished in Syria 12 years ago and who President Joe Biden has said is believed to be alive. Israelis welcomed the fall of Assad, who was a key ally of Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, while expressing concern over what comes next. Israel says its forces temporarily seized a buffer zone inside Syria dating back to a 1974 agreement after Syrian troops withdrew in the chaos. “The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters Monday. Saar did not provide details about the targets, but the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said they included weapons warehouses, research centers, air defense systems and aircraft squadrons. Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria in recent years, targeting what it says are military sites related to Iran and Hezbollah . Israeli officials rarely comment on individual strikes. Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons stockpile in 2013, after the government was accused of launching an attack near Damascus that killed hundreds of people . But it is widely believed to have kept some of the weapons and was accused of using them again in subsequent years. Officials in Turkey, which is the main supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, say its allies have taken full control of the northern Syrian city of Manbij from a U.S.-supported and Kurdish-led force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. The SDF said a Turkish drone struck in the village of al-Mistriha in eastern Syria, killing 12 civilians, including six children. Turkey views the SDF, which is primarily composed of a Syrian Kurdish militia, as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency in Turkey. The SDF has also been a key ally of the United States in the war against the Islamic State group. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday warned against allowing Islamic State or Kurdish fighters to take advantage of the situation, saying Turkey will prevent Syria from turning into a “haven for terrorism.” Mroue reported from Beirut and Goldenberg from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, Mehmet Guzel at the Oncupinar border crossing in Turkey, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, and Aamer Madhani and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. Follow the AP's Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syriaDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad , but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. “You will see there are skills" among the rebels, al-Sharaa said in a video shared on a rebel messaging channel. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Assad , a decision made by President Vladimir Putin . Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons , security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. “Don’t be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!” In southern Turkey , Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. “I haven’t seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he’s alive.” Jalali, the prime minister, has sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a U.N. official said some government services had been paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” Britain and the U.S. are both considering whether to remove the main anti-Assad rebel group from their lists of designated terrorist organizations. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham began as an offshoot of al-Qaida but cut ties with the group years ago and has worked to present a more moderate image. The group's leader, al-Sharaa, “is saying some of the right things about the protection of minorities, about respecting people’s rights,” British Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said, adding that a change would be considered “quite quickly.” But British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking later during a visit to Saudi Arabia, said it was "far too early” to make that decision. In Washington, a Biden administration official noted that HTS will be an “important component” in Syria's future and that the U.S. needs to “engage with them appropriately.” Another administration official said the U.S. remains in a “wait and see” mode on whether to remove the designation. Both officials requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing internal deliberations. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that such designations are constantly under review. Even while it is in place, the designation does not bar U.S. officials from speaking with members or leaders of the group, he said. The U.S. also announced it was sending its special envoy for hostage affairs to Beirut to seek information about the whereabouts of Austin Tice, a journalist who vanished in Syria 12 years ago and who President Joe Biden has said is believed to be alive. Israelis welcomed the fall of Assad, who was a key ally of Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, while expressing concern over what comes next. Israel says its forces temporarily seized a buffer zone inside Syria dating back to a 1974 agreement after Syrian troops withdrew in the chaos. “The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters Monday. Saar did not provide details about the targets, but the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said they included weapons warehouses, research centers, air defense systems and aircraft squadrons. Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria in recent years, targeting what it says are military sites related to Iran and Hezbollah . Israeli officials rarely comment on individual strikes. Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons stockpile in 2013, after the government was accused of launching an attack near Damascus that killed hundreds of people . But it is widely believed to have kept some of the weapons and was accused of using them again in subsequent years. Officials in Turkey, which is the main supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, say its allies have taken full control of the northern Syrian city of Manbij from a U.S.-supported and Kurdish-led force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. The SDF said a Turkish drone struck in the village of al-Mistriha in eastern Syria, killing 12 civilians, including six children. Turkey views the SDF, which is primarily composed of a Syrian Kurdish militia, as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency in Turkey. The SDF has also been a key ally of the United States in the war against the Islamic State group. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday warned against allowing Islamic State or Kurdish fighters to take advantage of the situation, saying Turkey will prevent Syria from turning into a “haven for terrorism.” Mroue reported from Beirut and Goldenberg from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, Mehmet Guzel at the Oncupinar border crossing in Turkey, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, and Aamer Madhani and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. Follow the AP's Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syria
Zefiro Methane Corp. 2024 Year in Review: Accelerating Commercial Growth and Operational ImpactEnvironment Authority (EA) has issued a decision to establish a temporary protected area called Ghaf Tree Reserve in South Sharqiyah covering an area of 130sqkm for a duration of 30 years. The decision outlines the management and preservation methods for the reserve, including programmes to combat desertification, improve soil quality, and expand vegetation cover by planting local trees and plants. These measures aim to enhance biodiversity and protect the primary habitat of ghaf trees. The outlines include monitoring and protection programmes for biodiversity, focusing on reducing human impact, protecting endangered species, and ensuring the sustainable use of natural water sources. The decision encourages the use of modern technologies to manage the reserve and support the growth of indigenous flora, ensuring carbon credits are maximised. The reserve will also promote sustainable ecotourism and engage with local communities and authorities to raise awareness on the importance of preserving the area’s biological and ecological diversity. Notable plant species in the reserve include samr and sidr, besides ghaf, and a variety of annual and seasonal plants. The animal population features red fox, wild cat, hedgehog, mongoose and various bird species, including Egyptian vulture, steppe eagle and Arabian partridge.
FGBI stock hits 52-week high at $13.38 amid robust growthAccording to Fortune's 2024 list of the 100 best companies to work for in Europe, these ones made the top 10. Why did employees rate them so highly? When it comes to professional work, Europe is recognised for having one of the most favourable approaches globally. European countries consistently rank among the best for work-life balance, were some of the first to trial the four-day workweek, and offer some of the highest average salaries in the world, along with other employee benefits. But which companies on the continent are the best to work for? Fortune and Great Place To Work have published the "Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Europe" list, which was compiled by analysing more than 1.3 million survey responses from over 2 million employees across Europe. The companies that topped the list had employees who were both more motivated to work and more comfortable with their company's way of working. For instance, according to a blog by Great Place To Work, their market study found that, in high-ranking companies, nearly 90 per cent of workers reported that they put in extra effort to get the job done, compared to only 59 per cent at a typical European workplace. They also found that camaraderie was a driving factor, with workers being 108 per cent more likely to give extra effort if they felt a sense of cooperation with their colleagues. Moreover, 86 per cent of employees at these top workplaces expressed plans to stay long-term, compared to just 60 per cent at other workplaces, which was particularly relevant among those who felt their work was meaningful and provided them with a sense of purpose. Also the report found that innovation rates were 66 per cent higher at the top workplaces and were mainly driven by continuous training and development opportunities the companies were providing. Here’s a look at the 10 best companies to work for in Europe according to the latest Fortune listing. Work-life balance was also a key factor behind the higher rankings of companies and one of the aspects that workers valued most. A high percentage of workers, about 85 per cent, who work at one of the best companies, said they were encouraged to maintain a balance between their work and personal lives, with 92 per cent reporting that they were able to take time off when necessary. Fairness in the workplace also played a significant role and contributed to the higher rankings of some companies. Employees at those companies reported that promotions were fair (78 per cent), they received a fair share of company profits (70 per cent), and their managers did not play favourites among their staff (81 per cent). This sense of fairness was also linked to employees' willingness to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their work. Only around one in three respondents (34 per cent) from the whole European study said they were excited to use AI to improve their work; the report also found that those who believed their companies were fair were 29 per cent more likely to be excited to use AI tools. While European workers are still reluctant to adopt AI, the technology sector in general is not a dominant force in Europe when it comes to jobs. This contrasts with the US, where tech companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Google are among the best and have emerged as early winners in the AI boom. In Europe, however, many of the leading companies are from more traditional industries such as fossil fuels, automotive, and finance, as shown in the recent Fortune 500 list. Topping the list, Europe’s biggest company was German car manufacturer Volkswagen, followed by two oil and gas companies, Britain’s Shell and France’s TotalEnergies. According to Fortune, while only 15 companies in this year’s list are from the tech sector, legacy businesses are also opening the door to innovation by adopting automation technologies. For instance, Volkswagen announced earlier this year the integration of AI chatbot ChatGPT into the voice assistant in some of its vehicles. Additionally, the fossil fuel company Shell has also embraced the use of AI in its operations, like using AI-based technology in deep-sea exploration and production, with the aim of improving operational efficiency, speeding up processes, and increasing production.
Should You Donate Your Points and Miles to Charity?AP News Summary at 2:33 p.m. ESTShould You Donate Your Points and Miles to Charity?
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