A trademark filing from Trump Media & Technology Group DJT has the cryptocurrency sector on high alert. President-elect Donald Trump's pro-crypto stance has already led to Bitcoin BTC/USD hitting several new all-time highs since the 2024 election. What Happened: Fresh off of reports that Trump Media & Technology Group was looking to acquire cryptocurrency company Bakkt Holdings BKKT , a new trademark filing could further signal the media company's growing crypto aspirations. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben shared a post about Trump Media Thursday, shown as T Media Tech LLC on the patent filing, which trademarks "TruthFi." The filing was made with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Nov. 18, according to Gerben. Gerben lists the following elements of the trademark filing for TruthFi: Digital wallets Analysis and compilation of data and statistics for financial research purposes Payment processing of cryptocurrency and credit cards Management of financial assets Digital asset trading Benzinga has contacted Trump Media for comment on the trademark filing. Did You Know? Congress Is Making Huge Investments. Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool Why It's Important: Gerben told the New York Times the trademark filing could be a way for Trump Media to reserve the desired name if it goes forward with plans for a crypto business. While the trademark filing doesn't guarantee that Trump Media will enter the cryptocurrency sector, Gerben said there is a high chance of this. "In my experience, most of the time if a client is going to file an application, there is something going on," Gerben told the Times. The New York Times said Trump Media launching a cryptocurrency business could involve acquiring a company given its small employee count. The Financial Times previously reported that Trump Media was in advanced talks to acquire Bakkt, a cryptocurrency company backed by Intercontinental Exchange ICE . Bakkt said in June it was exploring strategic alternatives that could include a sale or breakup of the company. Trump does not have a role at Trump Media, but is the largest shareholder of the company he co-founded, with around 53% of shares. Donald Trump Jr. , his eldest son, is on the company’s board. The president-elect previously spoke ill of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency before reversing course before the 2024 election, a move that won him potential votes from single-issue cryptocurrency voters. An acquisition of Bakkt would push Trump’s media company and the president-elect deeper into the cryptocurrency sector, which comes after he promoted a crypto venture called World Liberty Financial with business partners. A push into the cryptocurrency sector by Trump's media company and the appointment of new pro-crypto executives in his White House administration could prove to be a win-win for the president-elect. DJT, BKKT Price Action: Trump Media shares gained 1.3% Thursday, closing at $30.49 versus a 52-week trading range of $22.55 to $79.38. Bakkt shares were down 1.6% to $31.10 versus a 52-week trading range of $5.57 to $68.75. Bakkt stock is down 41% year-to-date, but higher in the last five days by more than 140%. Read Next: A Hedge Fund Hit Big On Trump’s Rumored Crypto Acquisition And Could Be Up $14.15 Million Photo via Shutterstock. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Week of Live Coverage Brings Free Music to Audiences Anywhere DALLAS , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The JAMBALOO Music Festival is excited to announce a major expansion to its artist lineup and a new partnership with WFAA+ to bring live streaming coverage to audiences nationwide. From February 1st – 8th 2025, the festival will feature performances from a diverse array of local and touring artists across venues throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with WFAA+ offering free, live streaming of the event to viewers everywhere. The lineup for JAMBALOO continues to grow, with the addition of renowned artists such as The Black Angels, Kolton Moore , RJD2, Mystery Skulls, Lou CharLe$, Black Tie Dynasty, and Daiistar. These new performers will join a diverse selection of local favorites and emerging talent at four iconic venues: Ferris Wheelers ( Dallas ), Club Dada (Deep Ellum), Tulips ( Fort Worth ), and Andy's ( Denton ). Alongside the in-person festival experience, JAMBALOO is partnering with WFAA+ to livestream all shows taking place at the Tulips venue in Fort Worth throughout the festival week. This collaboration ensures that audiences around the world can experience the energy of JAMBALOO in real time, completely free of charge. Fans can tune in through WFAA+'s innovative streaming platform, available on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and other smart devices, bringing the excitement of Tulips' performances directly to their screens. "JAMBALOO is all about celebrating the rich and diverse music scene of the DFW Metroplex, and with the addition of these incredible artists, we're ensuring there's something for every music lover," said Joe Morrison of Mullen & Mullen, a JAMBALOO co-founder. "Partnering with WFAA+ allows us to extend this celebration beyond the venues and into homes across the globe, so everyone can experience the magic of live music, no matter where they are." How to Watch and Attend: Download WFAA+ : Tune in to daily live streams of JAMBALOO performances from February 1-8, 2025 . The WFAA+ app is available for free on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and other smart platforms. RSVP for In-Person Shows : Visit the JAMBALOO website to reserve spots for free performances at your favorite venues. About JAMBALOO: The JAMBALOO Music Festival is more than just a music event—it's a celebration of the DFW music scene, with a mission to revitalize the local music community and support independent artists and venues. Kicking off with a JAMBALOO Symposium on February 1 , the festival will offer a week of performances, community engagement, and special events that will leave a lasting impact on the area's cultural landscape. About Our Partners: Mullen & Mullen Law Firm For over 41 years, Mullen & Mullen has been representing injured North Texans, and is committed to supporting the local community and music scene. Website: mullenandmullen.com Spune Productions A leader in Texas music events, Spune Productions curates experiences that bring people together through the power of music. Website: spune.com WFAA+ A next-generation streaming platform, WFAA+ offers live news, special reports, and event coverage. With its cutting-edge technology, it bridges the gap between traditional broadcasting and modern streaming, making it easier than ever for communities to stay connected. Website: WFAA.com KXT 91.7 North Texas' premier public radio station, KXT 91.7 showcases the region's best local and emerging musical talent. Website: kxt.org SOURCE Mullen & Mullen Law FirmEY has an AI avatar named eVe that lets job candidates do a pre-interview in the metaverse
HIV: there’s hope for a cure - where we stand nowYPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — On a damp Wednesday night with temperatures dipping into the 30s, fans in sparsely filled stands bundled up to watch Buffalo beat Eastern Michigan 37-30 on gray turf. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — On a damp Wednesday night with temperatures dipping into the 30s, fans in sparsely filled stands bundled up to watch Buffalo beat Eastern Michigan 37-30 on gray turf. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — On a damp Wednesday night with temperatures dipping into the 30s, fans in sparsely filled stands bundled up to watch Buffalo beat Eastern Michigan 37-30 on gray turf. The lopsided game was not particularly notable, but it was played on one of the nights the Mid-American Conference has made its own: A weeknight. “A lot of the general public thinks we play all of our games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, not just some of them in November,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a telephone interview this week. “What it has done is help take what was a pretty darned good regional conference and has given it a national brand and made it a national conference.” When the conference has played football games on ESPN or ESPN2 over the last two seasons, the linear television audience has been 10 times larger than when conference schools meet on Saturdays and get lost in the shuffle when viewers have many more choices. The most-watched MAC game over the last two years was earlier this month on a Wednesday night when Northern Illinois won at Western Michigan and there were 441,600 viewers, a total that doesn’t include streaming that isn’t captured by Nielsen company. During the same span, the linear TV audience has been no larger than 46,100 to watch two MAC teams play on Saturdays. “Having the whole nation watching on Tuesday and Wednesday night is a huge deal for the MAC,” Eastern Michigan tight end Jere Getzinger said. “Everybody wants to watch football so if you put it on TV on a Tuesday or Wednesday, people are going to watch.” ESPN has carried midweek MAC football games since the start of the century. ESPN and the conference signed a 13-year extension a decade ago that extends their relationship through at least the 2026-27 season. The conference has made the most of the opportunities, using MACtion as a tag on social media for more than a decade and it has become a catchy marketing term for the Group of Five football programs that usually operate under the radar in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and New York. Attendance does tend to go down with weeknight games, keeping some students out of stadiums because they have class or homework and leading to adults staying away home because they have to work the next morning. “The tradeoff is the national exposure,” Buffalo coach Pete Lembo said. “You know November nights midweek the average fan is going to park on the couch, have a bowl of chips and salsa out in front, and watch the game from there.” When the Bulls beat Ball State 51-48 in an overtime thriller on a Tuesday night earlier this month, the announced attendance was 12,708 and that appeared to be generous. There were many empty seats after halftime. “You watch the games on TV, the stadiums all look like this,” Buffalo fan Jeff Wojcicki said. “They are not packed, but it’s the only game on, and you know where to find it.” Sleep and practice schedules take a hit as well, creating another wave of challenges for students to attend class and coaches to prepare without the usual rhythm of preparing all week to play on Saturday. “Last week when we played at Ohio in Athens, we had a 4-four bus ride home and got home at about 3:30 a.m.,” Eastern Michigan center Broderick Roman said. “We still had to go to class and that was tough, but it’s part of what you commit to as an athlete.” That happens a lot in November when the MAC shifts its unique schedule. During the first two weeks of the month, the conference had 10 games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays exclusively. This week, there were five games on Tuesday and Wednesday while only one was left in the traditional Saturday slot with Ball State hosting Bowling Green. Next week, Toledo plays at Akron and Kent State visits Buffalo on Tuesday night before the MAC schedule wraps up with games next Friday and Saturday to determine which teams will meet in the conference title game on Dec. 7 in Detroit. In all, MAC teams will end up playing about 75% of their games on a Saturday and the rest on November weeknights. When the Eagles wrapped up practice earlier this week, two days before they played the Bulls, tight end Jere Getzinger provided some insight into the effects of the scheduling quirk. “It’s Monday, but for us it’s like a Thursday,” he said. Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler said he frankly has a hard time remembering what day it is when the schedule shift hits in November. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “The entire week gets turned upside down,” Loeffler said. “It’s wild, but it’s great for the league because there’s two days a week this time of year that people around the country will watch MAC games.” ___ AP freelance writer Jonah Bronstein contributed to this report. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Advertisement Advertisement
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For many people, this time of year is all about the shopping. And there's a fair chance many feel less than joyful about the prospect. If fulfilling your lengthy list feels overwhelming, learning what brain science and evolutionary psychology say about shopping and gift-giving might help you understand exactly why you're stressed – and even point you toward a healthier, happier holiday season. Our reactions are encoded into our nervous system, said Dr. Beth Frates, a part-time associate professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "By understanding these brain responses, people can develop strategies to manage stress better, such as setting realistic expectations, focusing on mindfulness and simplifying holiday preparations," said Frates, who also is the immediate past president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. The idea of exchanging gifts at this time of year can be traced back to pagan solstice celebrations. But the drive to share with another is as old as humanity itself, said Dr. Diego Guevara Beltran, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology at the University of Arizona in Tucson who studies cooperation and generosity. The science of generosity is more about survival than stocking stuffers, Guevara Beltran said. Sharing food gave early humans an evolutionary advantage. "Generosity is just one of the ways by which we can accumulate resources, be it wealth itself or friendships or work partners or more attractive, more intelligent mates," he said. Sharing with other people, Guevara Beltran said, is "a signal that communicates how much you value them, their welfare, your relationship with them." Research has shown that helping people makes us feel good. Part of that, he said, is because when someone is part of a community, they feel protected. One way this manifests is through the act of giving gifts. But to derive happiness from gift-giving, the giver needs to feel both that it was not an obligation and that it was effective, according to the 2019 World Happiness Report. That means it could be stressful to be in a culture where gift-giving feels mandatory, or if we can't see that a gift helped someone, Guevara Beltran speculated. It also might be stressful if gift-giving becomes a competition to show that you care about somebody more than the others around them. Our brains on shopping Stressful shopping can cause several physiological responses to kick in, Frates said. First is the "fight or flight" reaction that comes with stress. The release of chemicals that increase our heart rate, raise our blood pressure and intensify our breathing evolved to give us bursts of energy to escape danger. Frates said that while holiday stressors are not life-threatening, they can still trigger the stress response. The pressure to stay within budget could create a sense of scarcity, she said. "This taps into an evolutionary response, where the fear of losing resources like money can feel urgent and distressing." The holiday season also involves a lot of choices. "The brain has limited capacity for decision-making, and making multiple decisions can lead to decision fatigue," Frates said. "This fatigue reduces the ability to self-regulate and cope, which can lead to heightened stress responses when confronted with even minor setbacks, like a long line or out-of-stock item." The stress of needing to complete tasks within a limited time can intensify the fight-or-flight response, she said, as the brain interprets the ticking clock as a sense of urgency or threat. Meanwhile, Frates said, holiday shopping can also trigger brain chemicals that affect our feelings. "Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, is released when we anticipate something exciting or enjoyable, like finding a great gift or finding a good deal," she said. "This anticipation can feel rewarding even before any actual purchase is made." For some people, this dopamine boost can make shopping a relaxing experience. "It provides a temporary distraction from other stressors and allows them to focus on something positive, creating a 'holiday high,'" Frates said. For some people, that can be problematic. "When shopping becomes a way to chase that next dopamine hit, it can lead to excessive spending or impulsive purchases," she said. "This can become a trap, particularly during the holidays, when deals, sales and gift-giving pressures are everywhere." Understanding how all these processes work can help people recognize why they feel the way they do and adopt strategies to cope, Frates said. Here are some of her suggestions. Start with self-care before shopping Prioritizing self-care means people can be their best selves and make good decisions, Frates said. So, "eat food that is delicious and nutritious. Get seven to nine hours of sleep. Make sure to enjoy physical activity. Take walks when you can and invite friends along. Practice stress reduction like meditation or yoga to help you calm your body and mind." Before going shopping, try taking deep breaths using stress-relieving techniques such as 4-7-8 breathing (inhale through your nose for four counts, hold for seven counts, and exhale through your mouth for eight) or box breathing (inhale through the nose for four counts, hold your breath for four, exhale for four, then hold for four). Be strategic Don't shop when you're hungry, tired, lonely or stressed, Frates said. And don't start shopping 15 minutes before a store closes or a website's online deals end, she said. That's setting yourself up for triggering the fight-or-flight response. Be mindful Before making a purchase, take a moment to consider whether it's truly needed or whether it's an impulsive choice. To avoid overindulging, set a specific budget or limit yourself to a couple of hours or specific shopping days. "This keeps dopamine-driven spending in check while still allowing for the enjoyable aspects of holiday shopping," Frates said. Look for post-shopping activities that provide rewards without the financial cost. That can satisfy your brain's desire for more dopamine in a healthier way. "Plan enjoyable, stress-relieving activities after shopping, like going for a walk, spending time with friends or indulging in a hobby," she said. Bring a friend Not only does this support healthy social connections, Frates said, but if things start feeling stressful, "you have a buddy, and you have a support system right there for you." Rethink the focus of the season "With gift-giving, we need to change mindsets in order to be able to manage the stress," Frates said. The holidays could be used to emphasize social connections, she said. "Thinking about the connection with the person and making gift-giving more about deepening the connection than anything else, I think, will really help to reduce the stress around the process," she said. So instead of scouring shops and websites for the "perfect" gift, think about making a meaningful and personal one, she suggested. It could be a poem, a painting, a song or a framed photograph that captured a special time. Lessons for children It's easy to get caught up in the hunt for a hard-to-get item, Frates said. But ask yourself what the holiday means in your family's traditions. "Is it about getting that perfect gift for the child? Or is it about celebrating the meaning of that holiday?" So instead of having children ask for one specific toy, or a specific brand of clothing, teach them to leave a little leeway on their lists. "It is a good reminder to express to children that this season is about giving and sharing what we can in the best way that we can," she said, "and sometimes the exact gift is not available." Encouraging such an attitude can be a tall order, Frates said, but it's a place to start. "A simple mindset shift could be the difference between a stressful holiday shopping season or a joyful journey to find meaningful gifts for people you care about."Ellis announces candidacy for Assembly special election to fill Fong's old seatOver the past decade, nearly 47 Chinese nationals have become the target of terrorism in Pakistan which left at least 30 Chinese dead and 17 wounded, primarily due to the perception that the development projects they are involved in are not align with the objectives of militant and separatist groups. This year alone, two suicide attacks and an armed clash with private security guards claimed the lives of seven Chinese nationals and left two others injured. The most audacious attack occurred at the Karachi airport on October 7, 2024, when a suicide bombing killed two Chinese nationals and wounded 11 Pakistanis. This incident took place just a week before the high-level Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) took place in Islamabad. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group, claimed responsibility for this attack. This marked the second suicide attack this year and the seventh during the last six years which had targetted Chinese nationals in Pakistan. The first suicide attack this year occurred when a convoy of Chinese engineers, en-route to the Dasu Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Shangla district, was attacked in the Besham area. Unlike the Karachi airport attack, no group claimed responsibility for the Dasu incident. However, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa implicated the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the attack. Both the TTP and the Afghan Taliban, however, denied involvement. Since China was the first country to formally appoint an ambassador to Kabul, and given the Taliban's expressed interest in joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the likelihood of the TTP, which has found refuge in Afghanistan, directly targeting Chinese nationals appears low. However, the unofficial alliance between the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the TTP raises concerns. This collaboration could incentivise the TTP to pursue actions aligned with the BLA’s broader objective: undermining the CPEC initiative and straining the Pakistan-China relationship. For the BLA, the CPEC program is incompatible with their separatist ideology, as they view it as an exploitation of Balochistan’s natural resources to benefit others. Who Benefits From Attacks On Chinese Nationals In Pakistan? In a move that may disappoint Baloch separatists, China and Pakistan recently announced plans to conduct their first joint anti-terrorism drill in five years, with Chinese troops expected to arrive in Pakistan by the end of the month. Additionally, China has reportedly sought the Afghan Taliban's cooperation in curbing the activities of Baloch separatists who use Afghanistan as a base for anti-China and anti-Pakistan operations. The history of targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan dates back to May 3, 2004, when a car bomb in Gwadar killed three Chinese engineers and injured 11 others. At the time, nearly 400 Chinese engineers and construction workers were involved in a $250 million project. This incident marked the first targeted attack on Chinese nationals in the country. According to data compiled by the Center for Research and Security Studies, by November 21, 2024, at least 19 terror attacks and street crimes targeting Chinese nationals had occurred in Pakistan Two days after the bombing, police apprehended 13 suspects believed to be involved in the attack. Former Home Secretary Abdul Rauf Khan confirmed that two of the suspects were Bengalis, one was from Gilgit, and the rest hailed from Turbat and Tando Adam. Timeline of attacks on Chinese nationals Data compiled by the Centre for Research and Security Studies by November 21, 2024, at least 19 terror attacks and street crimes targeting Chinese nationals had occurred in Pakistan. A detailed timeline of these incidents, along with information on the perpetrators involved, would provide a clearer understanding of the nature of these crimes and the groups responsible. On July 8, 2007, three Chinese workers were killed , and one was injured in an attack near Peshawar, Pakistan. Officials attributed the incident to terrorism linked to the Lal Masjid siege, though initial police reports suggested a possible robbery. Witnesses, however, stated that the masked assailants shouted religious slogans during the attack at a motorcycle factory in Khazana, 8 km from Peshawar. The victims were employed in the production of three-wheeled auto-rickshaws. Suicide Bombing Near Karachi Airport Kills Two Chinese Nationals On May 30, 2016, a remote-controlled explosion in Karachi's Gulshan-i-Hadeed area targeted a Chinese engineer but caused only minor injuries to the engineer's driver. A pamphlet from the Sindhudesh Revolutionary Party (SRA), opposing foreign control over Sindh's resources and projects like the CPEC, was found at the site. This was the first attack claimed by a Sindhi separatist group. The Chinese engineer, traveling without security, remained unharmed. Hundreds of Chinese workers were involved in projects like CPEC and the Thar coal power project in Pakistan. On December 15, 2016, a remote-controlled bomb exploded near a Chinese engineer’s convoy , escorted by the paramilitary Rangers, within the remits of Rohri’s Patni police station. Following the blast, police and Rangers detained around four dozen individuals during a combing operation. The detainees included activists from banned Sindhi nationalist groups Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) and Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (Bashir), as well as Bugti clansmen working at a Chinese-run crushing plant in Sukkur. On May 24, 2017, gunmen disguised as police officers abducted two Chinese nationals in Quetta's Jinnah Town, while a third escaped. The Islamic State (IS) later claimed responsibility for the incident and released a video on June 8 showing their alleged murder, which the government denied. Then-Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan revealed that the victims were Christian missionaries who had entered Pakistan on business visas but were reportedly preaching Christianity in Quetta under the guise of learning Urdu from a Korean national. The incident highlighted a significant security lapse. On December 30, 2017, in Islamabad, a robbery at a Chinese family's house in Sector G-10 in Islamabad escalated when the family resisted, leading to a Chinese woman being shot and injured . From Farm To Alarm: The Climate Crisis Facing Pakistan’s Agriculture On February 7, 2018, In Karachi's upscale Defence area, a Chinese national was critically injured in a gun attack by unknown assailants, with no group claiming responsibility. On August 11, 2018 in Quetta's Chagai district, a suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying Chinese engineers near Dalbandin, injuring six people, including three engineers. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility. This was the first suicide attack against Chinese nationals. On April 21, 2019, police recovered the body of a young Chinese man who had been missing for four days and was suspected to have been kidnapped. According to police, 29-year-old Li Jin Qiang had disappeared from the Jinnah Super Market area on April 15. His friend filed a missing person’s report, suspecting that Li had been kidnapped. On May 11, 2019, gunmen attacked the Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar , Pakistan, killing five people, including a security guard, four hotel employees, and a Pakistan Navy soldier. The attackers, three armed men, were stopped while attempting to enter the hotel. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group seeking Balochistan’s independence, claimed responsibility. The group stated the attack targeted Chinese and other foreign investors staying at the hotel. On July 14, 2021, a suicide attack targeted a bus near the Dasu hydropower plant in Pakistan's Upper Kohistan district, killing 12 people, including nine Chinese engineers and two Frontier Corps personnel, and injuring several others. The attackers used an explosive-laden car to strike the bus. Pakistan initially blamed the attack on TTP, but the group denied involvement. Later, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister accused Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies of orchestrating the bombing. Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations Starts In Pakistan On July 28, 2021, a gun attack in Karachi injured a Chinese engineer working at a factory. Two masked assailants on a motorbike fired at a car carrying two Chinese nationals in the SITE area. One passenger sustained an arm injury, while the other Chinese national and their local driver escaped unharmed. The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), claimed responsibility for the attack. On August 21, 2021, a suicide bombing targeted a convoy carrying Chinese nationals on the Gwadar Expressway near a fishermen's colony. The attack failed to directly hit the convoy but resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to three others, including a Chinese national. The bomber, a young boy, detonated the explosives approximately 15-20 meters from the convoy after being intercepted by plainclothes Pakistan Army soldiers providing security. On April 26, 2022, a suicide bombing outside Karachi University's Confucius Institute killed four people , including three Chinese nationals, and injured four others. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, marking its first attack using a female suicide bomber. Shari Baloch, an MPhil student with two master’s degrees, carried out the attack. She was a member of the Baloch Students Organisation and came from a prominent family, with her husband a dentist and her father a government director[13]. On September 28, 2022, a shooting at a clinic in Karachi's Saddar area targeted a Chinese dentist couple and a Chinese cashier . A man posing as a patient, wearing a surgical mask, entered the clinic and opened fire, killing the cashier and critically wounding the couple. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack[14]. ‘Hum Saya’ Brings Attention To Plight Of Minor Girls Facing Forced Conversions On March 26, 2024, a suicide bombing targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers in Besham , Shangla District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. An explosive-laden vehicle struck a bus heading to the Dasu Hydropower Project, killing five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver. Initially, the Afghan Taliban refuted Pakistan's claims of Afghan involvement, calling it an internal issue. Pakistan's military emphasised safeguarding 29,000 Chinese nationals working on infrastructure projects. On April 30, 2024, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) confirmed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) orchestrated the attack, identifying Javed alias Sami as the mastermind and Gul Nisa as his facilitator. On October 7, 2024, A suicide bombing near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport killed two Chinese nationals and injured at least 10 people. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted Chinese engineers working on a coal power plant project. The following table provides a summary of these events, highlighting the evolving trends and nature of violence against Chinese nationals over the years. It reflects a progression from the use of explosives to more targeted methods such as suicide attacks, carried out by various actors driven by their distinct ideologies and motivations. Attacks on Chinese infrastructure and investment projects in Pakistan In addition to incidents directly targeting Chinese nationals, several attacks have focused on Chinese infrastructures and investment projects in Pakistan. Facing Japanese Fury: A Baluch Batallion In The Malayan Campaign 1940-42 On November 23, 2018, an armed assault on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi’s Clifton area led to a prolonged shootout in which three attackers were killed. Two policemen and two Pakistani civilians sacrificed their lives defending the facility, successfully preventing any harm to Chinese nationals. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. On June 29, 2020, BLA targeted the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) due to China’s 40% ownership of the institution. The attack resulted in the deaths of three security guards and a police officer before the assailants were neutralised. Additionally, on April 16, 2023, a mob of Pakistani labourers at the Dasu Dam site attempted to lynch a Chinese engineer over alleged blasphemy. The incident reportedly stemmed from tensions after the engineer asked workers to expedite their tasks during the holy month of Ramadan, which they perceived as disrespectful to Islamic practices. While Pakistan has made multiple attempts to negotiate peace with Jihadi militants, separatist movements have been largely overlooked Noteworthy in these incidents are the regions, perpetrators, and the nature of the violence. These incidents were concentrated in four regions: Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Sindh, while Punjab, the country’s most populous province, remained unaffected. The perpetrators came from diverse backgrounds, including Sindhi separatists, Baloch separatists, Jihadi militants, and religious extremists. These actors are byproducts of state policies shaped by the demands of global powers, which inadvertently created these "monsters." Over time, this menace has evolved into a Hydra, extending its tentacles in various forms and directions. To counter this colossal threat, Pakistan must go beyond conventional counter-terrorism strategies and critically reassess the policies that have fostered a societal inclination toward militancy over tolerance. All stakeholders must unite on a single platform and take decisive action against all forms of extremism in the country, avoiding the pitfalls of selective politics that condemn some forms of militancy while tolerating others. A selective approach will not achieve lasting peace. New Wave: How Chinese Pop Culture Is Shaping Global Trends And Diplomacy While Pakistan has made multiple attempts to negotiate peace with Jihadi militants, separatist movements have been largely overlooked. Even peaceful voices from Balochistan, such as the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) and the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), have faced indifference, despite their persistent and peaceful protests to highlight their grievances and appeal to the government for resolution.U.S. president-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he wants real estate developer Charles Kushner, the father of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, calling Charles Kushner "a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker." Kushner is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former senior Trump adviser who is married to Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka. The elder Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Prosecutors alleged that after Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was co-operating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. Trump's return to the White House: his cabinet choices so far Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to his own sister, the man's wife, prosecutors said. Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts, including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison — the most he could receive under a plea deal but less than what Chris Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, had sought. Christie has blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump's transition team in 2016, and has called Charles Kushner's offences "one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney." Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles, and their children were married in 2009.
Warner Bros. Discovery Sued For Misleading Investors On NBA Before Losing ItQNL marks International Day of Solidarity with PalestiniansNone
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is rarely one to point the finger at his players and despite a calamitous 3-3 draw at home to Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday after they threw away a three-goal lead the Spaniard stuck by his team again. City find themselves in uncharted territory, now mired in a six-game slump after they arrived at the Etihad Stadium for Tuesday's match on the heels of five straight losses, including a 4-0 rout by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. It was another miserable night as defensive blunders saw Feyenoord strike three times inside 15 minutes and what could have been a confidence boost for City turned into anything but. "It was not necessary to say anything to (the players), they know it perfectly," Guardiola said. "It is what it is, difficult to swallow now. We give away especially the first one and after we are not stable enough." A double from Erling Haaland and a goal from Ilkay Gundogan had the home fans cheering before Anis Hadj Moussa pulled one back for Feyenoord in the 75th minute when he pounced on a terrible back pass from their Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol. Another sloppy pass by the 22-year-old led to Santiago Gimenez making it 3-2 seven minutes later before David Hancko equalised for the Dutch side in the 89th minute. "He is so young, he'll learn," Guardiola said of Gvardiol, who looked distraught after Feyenoord's second goal. "... I'll be so wrong if I point specific things at him. He's a fantastic player, fantastic boy and more than ever must be helped." At the end of the game the crowd booed City, who dropped to 15th in the 36-team table on eight points, two points off the top eight who qualify automatically for the last 16, with the next 16 sides entering a two-leg playoff to try to join them. "They come here not to remember the success in the past, but to see the team win," Guardiola said of the shell-shocked City supporters. "Of course they are completely right to express what they feel. Of course (they are) disappointed." Feyenoord manager Brian Priske was beaming with pride after his team became the first in Champions League history to draw after trailing by three goals as late as the 75th minute. "I just love that word resilience and that's what these boys have," he said. Guardiola's side next face one of their toughest tests of the season when they visit Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. A loss would leave City 11 points adrift of the Reds. Asked if he could lift his players for a mammoth challenge, Guardiola said: "We have to, we have to. It's my job." (Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris)Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday. Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal. Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season. Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage. "For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached," he posted. Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has joined defensive tackle Mason Graham in the NFL draft. Johnson declared for the draft on Wednesday, one day after Graham decided he would also skip his senior season with the Wolverines. Both preseason All-America players are expected to be first-round picks. Johnson was limited to six games this year due to an injury. He had two interceptions, returning them both for touchdowns to set a school record with three scores off interceptions. Johnson picked off nine passes in three seasons. Graham played in all 12 games this season, finishing with 3 1/2 sacks and seven tackles for losses. He had 18 tackles for losses, including nine sacks, in his three-year career. Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is The Associated Press offensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference and South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard is the top defensive player. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was voted the top newcomer on Wednesday while the Gamecocks' Shane Beamer is coach of the year in voting by the panel of 17 media members who cover the league. Sampson led the SEC and set school records by rushing for 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is tied for third nationally in rushing touchdowns, recording the league's fifth-most in a season. Sampson was chosen on all but two ballots. Mississippi wide receiver Tre Harris and his quarterback, Jaxson Dart, each got a vote. Kennard led the SEC with 11-1/2 sacks and 15-1/2 tackles for loss. He also had 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles. Beamer led the Gamecocks to just their fifth nine-win season, including a school-record four wins over Top 25 opponents. They've won their last six games and ended the regular season with a win over eventual ACC champion Clemson. South Carolina plays Illinois on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Pavia helped lead Vandy to its first bowl game since 2018 after transferring from New Mexico State. He passed for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions. He ran for another 716 yards and six touchdowns, directing an upset of Alabama. AMES, Iowa — Matt Campbell, who led Iowa State to its first 10-win season and became the program's all-time leader in coaching victories, has agreed to an eight-year contract that would keep him with the Cyclones through 2032. University president Wendy Wintersteen and athletic director Jamie Pollard made the announcement Wednesday, four days after the Cyclones lost to Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game. “Given all the uncertainty currently facing college athletics, it was critical that we moved quickly to solidify the future of our football program,” Pollard said. “Matt is the perfect fit for Iowa State University and I am thrilled he wants to continue to lead our program. Leadership continuity is essential to any organization’s long-term success." The Cyclones won their first seven games for their best start since 1938 and are 10-3 heading into their game against Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 28. BRIEFLY FLAG PLANT: Ohio Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. MALZAHN: Gus Malzahn, who resigned as UCF’s coach last month to become Mike Norvell’s offensive coordinator at Florida State, said he chose to return to his coaching roots rather than remain a head coach distracted by a myriad of responsibilities.
Amber Group's Subsidiary Amber DWM Holding Limited and Nasdaq-Listed iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited Enter into a Definitive Merger AgreementRutgers women’s hoops struggle in the paint against Princeton
Ethereum price is preparing for a major breakout as its recent price rally has driven millions of spot ETH ETF outflows in a week. Seizing the opportunity, DTX Exchange (DTX) has soared ahead as the biggest ICO of the year and the first hybrid platform to offer up to 1,000x liquidity (leverage for traders), which makes it one of the best Ethereum alternatives in the market right now. Ethereum’s $3.4K Rally Drives $163 Million ETF Outflows Ethereum (ETH) spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have witnessed a massive outflow of $163 million this week. This event took place as the bullish sentiment trailing the leading altcoin began to decline, making it a struggle for Ethereum to break through the $3,400 resistance level. According to data from SosoValue, the weekly spot ETH ETF outflow of $163 million represents the third-highest weekly net outflow since these funds became tradeable on July 23. Notably, this trend of Ethereum ETF outflows follows a strong surge in inflows, which hit a record-breaking $515.17 million in weekly inflows, the highest since launch. This spike in inflows was triggered by Trump’s victory in the November 5 US election, which resulted in a parabolic rally in the crypto market. However, ETH’s price has begun to struggle as bearish sentiment against it gains momentum. BeInCrypto reported earlier that the ETH/BTC ratio, which measures Ethereum’s price performance against Bitcoin, has fallen to its lowest point since March 2021. ETH Forming a Bull Flag? In terms of technical indicators for Ethereum, analysts have observed the ‘Aroon’ indicator for the altcoin. The Aroon indicator identifies trends and their strength. It consists of two lines: Aroon Up and Aroon Down. Aroon Up measures the time since a new 25-period high, while Aroon Down measures the time since a new 25-period low. When the Aroon Up Line falls, it signals a weakening uptrend or the potential for a trend reversal. This occurs when the price is taking longer to reach new highs, indicating a loss of momentum. A falling Aroon Up line is interpreted as a bearish signal, suggesting that the bullish momentum is fading and a potential downtrend may be underway. Interestingly, an assessment of the Ethereum price one-day chart has shown that a bull flag may be on the way. This pattern often precedes a continuation of an uptrend. A bull flag consists of a rapid price increase (the flagpole) followed by consolidation (the flag). Once the price breaks above the flag’s resistance level, it signals a potential resumption of the uptrend. Bonus Crypto Under $1 Sparks Excitement Among Investors Following the successful presale rounds in the platform, DTX Exchange (DTX) is quietly becoming the next big thing in the market. The platform has already launched practical products like ‘Phoenix Wallet’ and is expected to upscale its product offerings with a Real World Assets (RWA) tokenization platform in the near term. The continuous technological developments and blockchain upgrades in the platform keep its users connected and engaged with exchange. Its lightning-fast transaction speeds, with an average speed of 0.04 seconds, make DTX Exchange (DTX) one of the most used hybrid exchanges to trade cryptos, stocks & bonds, FX, and commodities. DTX Exchange’s Game-Changing Presale Rally Nears $9 Million The highly bullish presale rally by DTX Exchange (DTX) has reached the huge $9 million milestone in its presale within the blink of an eye and could go 25x in the coming weeks after its $0.20 grand listing on Coinbase. The growing interest from users in the platform has surged the DTX community from 125,000 to 160,000 members as of November 2024. As Spot ETH ETF anticipates an upcoming rebound in December, DTX Exchange (DTX) presents strong fundamentals and investor confidence that could easily outshine crypto giants like Ethereum and rank DTX Exchange as the dominant crypto. If you haven’t already signed up, DTX Exchange is offering an extra 100% on any deposit with ‘SELLSTAGE’ promo code. Join now! Buy Presale Visit DTX Website Join The DTX Community Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.Percentages: FG .519, FT .857. 3-Point Goals: 7-20, .350 (Larson 2-6, Barnhart 1-1, Cluff 1-1, Sayler 1-2, Garry 1-3, Jackson 1-3, Hadnot 0-1, Mors 0-1, Lindsey 0-2). Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 4 (Cluff, Garry, Hadnot, Wilkinson). Turnovers: 12 (Cluff 3, Hadnot 2, Larson 2, Mors 2, Garry, Jackson, Wilkinson). Steals: 6 (Sayler 2, Cluff, Hadnot, Larson, Mors). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .305, FT .625. 3-Point Goals: 9-22, .409 (White 4-7, King 2-7, Hampton 1-2, Martin 1-2, Valentine 1-3, Oba 0-1). Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: None. Turnovers: 11 (Downing-Rivers 2, Hampton 2, Martin 2, White 2, Oba, Osei-Bonsu, Valentine). Steals: 7 (Hampton 2, Valentine 2, King, Osei-Bonsu, Pinegar). Technical Fouls: None. .
In your story for this week’s issue, “ Paris Friend ,” an aspiring writer living in Beijing, Li Mo, makes a friend on the Internet named Li Lu, who claims to be studying literature in Paris. When Li Mo enlists an acquaintance to track her down and eventually travels there to meet her, he encounters a world in which gangsters and gamblers brush up against doctoral students. What inspired you to explore this milieu of Chinese migrants in Paris? Over the past ten years, I’ve been meeting more and more people who studied abroad—perhaps because of having moved from my home town, Shenyang, to Beijing. Back in Shenyang, many of my friends still live close to my old home. Recently, I went back to Shenyang to see my mother. While I was there, I met up with a middle-school classmate for a game of soccer. He still kicks the ball exactly the way he did twenty-eight years ago. Many people in Beijing aren’t Beijingers, and even when they are they may not have always lived there. One of my Beijing friends was in Paris for eight years but claims that he’s never had a Beijing accent, not even before he left—he hates the way Beijingers talk. I decided to write a story about his time in Paris and had a number of conversations with him. He makes Paris sound quite close to Beijing, as if you could drive there over a weekend. I should make it clear that my friend isn’t a gambler. It’s just that I’ve been wanting to write about gambling for a while. I have the feeling that, in an era when all meaning is being swallowed up, gambling might someday become humankind’s favorite activity. In the story, Li Mo discusses how Paris was “an ancient city of art, a place that championed égalité while hoarding power.” What does Paris represent for him, and for you? Have you been, and, if so, what was your impression of the city? I’ve been to Paris twice. On the first trip, one of my friends lost a camera at Charles de Gaulle Airport, and the whole group ended up sitting in a police station all night. There’d been disturbances in some Parisian neighborhoods, and rifle-toting police officers kept striding by confidently. They never found the camera, of course. You don’t need a gun to look for a camera. The second time was when Yueran (my wife, also a writer) was in Paris for a residency, and I came to spend a week with her. She was my tour guide and teacher. All I had to do was follow her around and make sure not to get lost. Paris, for me, means chairs that look out onto the street so people can sit facing the sidewalk. In China, we prefer to hide our faces while we eat, whereas the French like facing outward as they drink. There’s an expression in China that literally means “face staring at face”; that is, an awkward situation in which everyone is just looking at one another, uncertain what to say or do next. As I walked around Paris, that saying kept coming to mind. Your previous story for the magazine, “ Heart ,” focussed on the relationship between a father and a son, whereas in this one mother-son relationships take center stage: there’s Li Mo and his mother, who disappears from the family when he’s a child, and also Xiaoguo (the friend tasked with finding Li Lu) and his mother, an ailing Peking-opera singer. What do you think is unique about mother-son relationships, and what made you want to explore this connection here? I often analyze my mother’s words and actions, and sometimes I phone her to verify a childhood memory, which she always recalls with astounding clarity—yet I’ve rarely written about mothers and sons, and I can’t really say why. I’ve tried a few times but quickly got stuck or turned to a different subject after a couple of paragraphs. At the end of last year, when I needed surgery after injuring my knee playing soccer, my mother came to Beijing to take care of me. This was the most time we’d spent together in eight or nine years. I realized that we were more similar than I’d previously thought. There were many times when I’d drop a hint that only she understood. At the same time, this caused barriers between us: communicating mainly in hints can create a lot of misunderstandings. It’s better to be direct, but my mother and I are used to not speaking plainly to each other, and it feels as if doing so would push us further apart. After she went back to Shenyang, I thought I might be able to write a story about a mother and son. The Peking-opera performer represents a type of mother I’m familiar with: these mothers are unconstrained, not because their emotions don’t run as deep but because this is their only option. They have trained themselves to behave in this way. Xiaoguo studies film and makes a movie inspired by Marguerite Duras, and he and Li Mo visit a bookstore named after Jean-Pierre Melville’s “Le Cercle Rouge.” At one point, Li Mo also discusses how, “as long as you’re alive, you’ll enter other people’s consciousnesses, turning into a film clip, or at least some stills.” What is the importance of cinema in this story? I enjoy watching films and have taken part in some productions. Movies are very much about the material world, but they also require a spiritual dimension. When shooting a film, there are times when it’s hard to say if something is real or fake. When someone falls down, or when someone falls in love with another person, is that acting, or are these things actually happening? That’s what I love about movies—they’re the closest that reality can come to dreams. Movies are currently in decline because they take things too seriously. The contemporary world doesn’t like anything too solemn or earnest. Even the most irreverent film demands that you watch it at the cinema, which is itself an overserious thing to do. When shooting a film, as soon as a scene is captured, it immediately turns into a memory, a record—just as recalling an event can feel like screening a movie in our minds. I believe that people who don’t enjoy watching films may also dislike recollection. When the majority of people no longer enjoy movies, that will mean they’ve turned against memory on a grand scale. This story takes place during the early Internet age, when one could still chat with someone on a messaging platform without ever meeting them, or even seeing a photograph of them. What does this era represent for you? The early Internet age was a far more pleasant era—a time when you couldn’t send videos or make instant voice calls. Almost as if this technology had been ushered in by people who enjoyed writing letters, albeit letters that would receive immediate responses. The entire online world was connected through words. Thinking back, for this brief moment, the written word was at the height of its influence. At the end of the story, Li Mo makes a shocking discovery about Li Lu. Without ruining it for the reader, did you know that this was how the story was going to end as you were writing it? Do you think Li Mo ends up staying in Paris? I discovered the ending bit by bit in the course of writing this story. When I got there, I thought, Ah, so that’s how it is. This is often my writing process, a conversation with myself in which secrets are gradually revealed. Li Mo won’t stay in Paris, he’ll definitely return to Beijing. Perhaps he’ll write a story about Xiaoguo, while continuing to frequently log on to MSN Messenger. ♦ Shuang Xuetao’s responses were translated, from the Chinese, by Jeremy Tiang . New Yorker Favorites The killer who got into Harvard . How Steve Martin learned what’s funny . Growing up as the son of the Cowardly Lion . The light of the world’s first nuclear bomb . A thief who stole only silver . Amelia Earhart’s last flight . Fiction by Milan Kundera: “ The Unbearable Lightness of Being .” Sign up for our daily newsletter to receive the best stories from The New Yorker .
