‘You’re wrong’ viral mum hits back at trolls after boasting about mountain of Christmas presents she buys her three kidsSC nixes ECP order, restores Bazai’s NA membership Court further says that since main appeals had been allowed, applications were also disposed of accordingly ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside an Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) order and restored the National Assembly membership of Adil Bazai as an independent member from NA-262, Quetta. A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and comprising Justice Ayesha A Malik and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, accepted the appeals of Bazai against the ECP order, disqualifying him under Article 63-A of the Constitution. “For reasons to be recorded later, these appeals are allowed and the impugned judgements passed by the Election Commission of Pakistan are set aside,” the court announced in a short order. The court held that the declarations made by the party head of PMLN that the appellant had defected from the said political party are not confirmed. Bazai’s membership of the National Assembly from seat NA-262 stands restored as an independent member, not as a member of the parliamentary party of PMLN. The court further held that since the main appeals had been allowed, the applications were also disposed of accordingly. The ECP had previously disqualified Bazai under Article 63-A after PMLN President Nawaz Sharif filed a petition to the electoral body after Bazai reportedly voted against the party lines during the 26th Constitutional Amendment. Earlier, during the course of hearing, the court raised various questions on the procedure adopted by the ECP in the matter. Justice Ayesha A Malik asked as to what kind of inquiry was conducted by the ECP to verify the facts in Bazai’s case. Similarly, Justice Abbasi remarked it was not acceptable to de-seat a person just because a letter from a senior official had arrived. Justice Mansoor pointed out that the criteria for disenfranchising an entire constituency should be rigorous. Sardar Taimoor, counsel for Adil Bazai, submitted before the court that the matter has been raised before the electoral body, and the following day, the action was taken against his client without any proper documentation. The counsel contended that they had moved the Balochistan High Court and pleaded for getting the necessary documents, particularly a sworn affidavit mentioning Bazai’s affiliation with the PMLN. However, he alleged that the ECP refused to provide it for being confidential. At this, Justice Ayesha called the ECP’s DG Law to rostrum and questioned as to why the electoral body had accepted one affidavit as valid without conducting an inquiry. “Whether the ECP could simply reject one affidavit and accept another without thorough verification,” she asked the ECP DG Law. Justice Ayesha questioned as to whether the ECP considered itself above the law and whether it had disregarded the courts and magistrates. Similarly, Justice Mansoor asked the ECP DG as to whether the electoral body had the authority to conduct a trial in such a case and further asked as to how it attained trial court powers.
Italy's government has granted citizenship to Argentinian President Javier Milei on account of his Italian family roots, a source with knowledge of the matter said Friday, confirming earlier media reports. Milei is in Rome to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and to take part in her Brothers of Italy party's annual festival Saturday. The source declined to provide further details. The news on Italian media triggered an angry reaction from some politicians and on social media from people protesting at citizenship being given to Milei when it is hard to obtain for the children of migrants born in Italy. Italy's citizenship laws are based on blood ties, meaning that even distant descendants of an Italian national can obtain an Italian passport. Requirements for foreigners born in Italy or who migrate there, on the other hand, are much tougher. Pro-migrant groups have proposed a referendum to ease them, but Meloni's right-wing coalition is against any relaxation. Riccardo Magi, a lawmaker from the small opposition More Europa party, said granting citizenship to Milei was an act of "intolerable discrimination against so many young people who will only get it after many years." During a previous trip to Italy in February, Milei told a TV interview that he felt "75% Italian" since three of his grandparents had Italian origins, and that he has "an incredible passion for Italian Opera." Libertarian Milei and conservative Meloni have established a close relationship. When they met in Buenos Aires last month, the Argentine leader gave his Italian guest a statuette of himself wielding his trademark chainsaw.Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100How co-writing a book threatened the Carters' marriageBATTLE CREEK — Different year. Same result. The Traverse City St. Francis Gladiators made it back to the Division 3 volleyball state championship final at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena for the second straight year. And they left as the runner-up for the second straight year. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central swept the Gladiators in Saturday’s title bout, winning by a 25-21, 25-20 and 25-15 final that broke the hearts of the St. Francis players, coaches and fans once again. “We’re second in the state. There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” St. Francis head coach Kathleen Nance said. “St. Mary’s played better than we did today. They earned that first-place spot, and we earned second. We were the last two standing. What’s to be ashamed about?” The Gladiators (35-13-3) fought back to tie the first set at 18-18, but the Kestrels (30-4-2) rattled off five consecutive points to take control in the waning moments. St. Francis got to within three at 24-21, but a service error into the net gave St. Mary the 1-0 lead. Riding the momentum, St. Mary quickly jumped out to a 4-0 advantage and maintained control through most of the second set, leading 7-1, 11-4, 18-11 and 21-14 before the Gladiators rallied back to get within three at 22-19. That rally ended as another St. Francis service error into the net gave the Kestrels the set win and a 2-0 lead. With their season on the line, St. Francis came out strong in the third set and grabbed a 2-0 lead. But St. Mary tied it quickly at 2-2 before getting some distance from St. Francis at 9-4. The Gladiators never got back to within striking distance the rest of the way, falling by 10 points in the final set. “St. Mary’s is just an amazing team. They’ve got great ball control. They’ve got great hitters,” Nance said. “We just weren’t able to have an answer for that today.” With her squad down 24-15 in the final set, senior libero Avery Nance pulled her team together and — even with the outcome all but settled — let her fellow Gladiators know how much they mean to her. “I told them that I loved them and that I was proud of them,” she said. “Let’s go out fighting for that last point because that’s who we are. We’re a gritty team, so let’s make it a gritty point. No matter what happens, I love them and we’re going to go out together as a team.” Quinn Yenshaw led the Gladiator attack with 12 kills followed by Lola Brown with eight, Reese Muma with six, Landry Fouch with four, Harper Nausadis with three, and Reese Jones with one. “I’m just grateful for what we’ve accomplished these last two years,” Yenshaw said. “We are so close as a team and love each other so much. ... I’m going to miss the girls who are leaving, but I know we’ll keep the legacy going and keep Gladiator volleyball strong.” Jones was tops in aces with two and in assists with 14 as Avery Nance pitched in with seven assists and Tessah Konas had six helpers. On defense against the high-powered Kestrels, Nance led in digs with 14 followed by Fouch with nine, Yenshaw with eight, Jones with seven, Grace Mason with six, Coco Miller with five, and Nausadis with three. “I feel like we were a little underestimated this year,” Coach Nance said. “This was our only loss to a D3 team this season — this loss today. I don’t think we’ll be underestimated anymore.” The lone D3 loss ends the high school volleyball careers of four senior Gladiators — Avery Nance, Landry Fouch, Tessah Konas and Grace Mason. “No one wants to lose, especially for those that this is their last time to play,” Coach Nance said. “No one wants that, but I’m proud of everything we accomplished this year.” St. Francis brings back a wealth of talent with Jones, Muma, Yenshaw, Brown, Miller, Nausadis and Aubrey Lesinski to go along with a strong JV program and promising stars at the middle-school level, giving the Gladiators a long window to remain contenders. “I want St. Francis volleyball to continue to be an amazing program. There’s so much talent we’re still going to have and so much talent that nobody even got to see today,” Coach Nance said. “We’re going to get there.” Nausadis believes that as well. “Obviously it sucks to lose, but we’re all really proud of each other,” Nausadis said. “This is a huge accomplishment just to make it here. It’s hard to see it right now, but there’s a lot to be proud of. We wanted to win it, but we did this for each other and proved we can make it back.” Nausadis hopes the Gladiators can make it back in 2025. “It will be a different team next year, but we’re going to work as hard as we can,” she said. “We’re going to do our best.”
NEW YORK (AP) — No ex-president had a more prolific and diverse publishing career than Jimmy Carter . His more than two dozen books included nonfiction, poetry, fiction, religious meditations and a children’s story. His memoir “An Hour Before Daylight” was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2002, while his 2006 best-seller “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” stirred a fierce debate by likening Israel’s policies in the West Bank to the brutal South African system of racial segregation. And just before his 100th birthday, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation honored him with a lifetime achievement award for how he wielded "the power of the written word to foster peace, social justice, and global understanding.” In one recent work, “A Full Life,” Carter observed that he “enjoyed writing” and that his books “provided a much-needed source of income.” But some projects were easier than others. “Everything to Gain,” a 1987 collaboration with his wife, Rosalynn, turned into the “worst threat we ever experienced in our marriage,” an intractable standoff for the facilitator of the Camp David accords and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. According to Carter, Rosalynn was a meticulous author who considered “the resulting sentences as though they have come down from Mount Sinai, carved into stone.” Their memories differed on various events and they fell into “constant arguments.” They were ready to abandon the book and return the advance, until their editor persuaded them to simply divide any disputed passages between them. “In the book, each of these paragraphs is identified by a ‘J’ or an ‘R,’ and our marriage survived,” he wrote. Here is a partial list of books by Carter: “Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President” “The Blood of Abraham: Insights into the Middle East” (With Rosalynn Carter) “Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life” “An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections” “Turning Point: A Candidate, a State, and a Nation Come of Age” “Always a Reckoning, and Other Poems” (With daughter Amy Carter) “The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer” “Living Faith” “The Virtues of Aging” “An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood” “Christmas in Plains: Memories” “The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War” “Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis” “Faith & Freedom: The Christian Challenge for the World” “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” “A Remarkable Mother” “Beyond the White House” “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work” “White House Diary” “NIV Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter” “A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power” “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety” The Associated Press
Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic will face conservative rival Dragan Primorac in an election run-off in two weeks' time after the incumbent narrowly missed out an outright victory on Sunday, official results showed. The results came after an exit poll, released immediately after the polling stations closed, showed that Milanovic, backed by the opposition left-wing Social Democrats, had scooped more than 50 percent of the first round vote and would thus avoid the January 12 run-off. Milanovic won 49.1 percent of the first round vote and Primorac, backed by the ruling conservative HDZ party, took 19.35 percent, according to results released by the state electoral commission from nearly all of the polling stations. On Sunday evening, Milanovic pledged to his supporters who gathered in Zagreb to "fight for Croatia with a clear stance, one that takes care of its interests". Such a strong lead for Milanovic, whom surveys labelled a favourite ahead of the vote, raises serious concerns for Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's HDZ. Late on Sunday, Primorac labelled the big difference between him and Milanovic a "challenge". "In the first round there were... a lot of candidates, it was not easy to present the programme fully. Now it's a great opportunity that Milanovic and I be one on one... to see who represents what," Primorac told his supporters in Zagreb. The election came as the European Union and NATO member country of 3.8 million people struggles with biting inflation, widespread corruption and a labour shortage. Among the eight contenders, centre-right MP Marija Selak Raspudic and green-left MP Ivana Kekin followed the two main rivals, the exit poll showed. The two women each won around nine percent of the vote. The president commands the Balkan country's armed forces and has a say in foreign policy. But despite limited powers, many believe the office is key for the political balance of power in a country mainly governed by the HDZ since independence in 1991. "All the eggs should not be in one basket," Nenad Horvat, a salesman in his 40s, told AFP. He sees Milanovic, a former leftist prime minister, as the "last barrier to all levers of power falling into the hands of HDZ", echoing the view of many that was reflected in Sunday's vote results. More from this section The 58-year-old Milanovic has been one of Croatia's leading and most colourful political figures for nearly two decades. Sharp and eloquent, he won the presidency for the Social Democrats (SDP) in 2020 with pledges to advocate tolerance and liberalism. But he used the office to attack political opponents and EU officials, often with offensive and populist rhetoric. Milanovic, who condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine, has nonetheless criticised the West's military aid to Kyiv. That prompted the prime minister to label him a pro-Russian who is "destroying Croatia's credibility in NATO and the EU". Milanovic countered that he wanted to protect Croatia from being "dragged into war". Milanovic regularly pans Plenkovic and his HDZ party over systemic corruption, calling the premier a "serious threat to Croatia's democracy". Speaking on Sunday, Milanovic said that in the current global situation, all political stakeholders in the country should be "on the same side as much as possible, at least when it comes to fundamental issues such as the national security or borders". For many, the election is a continuation of the longstanding feud between two powerful politicians. "This is still about the conflict between the prime minister and president," political analyst Zarko Puhovski told AFP. "All the rest are just incidental topics." Primorac, a 59-year-old physician and scientist returning to politics after 15 years, campaigned as a "unifier" promoting family values and patriotism. ljv/bc
Aurangzeb expresses intention to shut down Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation, create alternative mechanism for maintaining strategic reserves Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting export-led growth, identifying agriculture and information technology (IT) as twin sectors to drive Pakistan’s sustainable economic growth. Speaking to farmers and stakeholders in Kamalia (Toba Tek Singh), Aurangzeb emphasised that agriculture and IT were crucial to Pakistan’s economic future. “We are very clear, agriculture and IT have to lead this country as we move forward,” he said. Aurangzeb optimistic about economic trajectory amid positive indicators He said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme was focused on stabilisation. “If agriculture and IT face difficulties, it will be because of us, so we should find solution and promote these sectors for sustainable economic development.” Aurangzeb expressed concern that despite numerous research institutions working to develop the agriculture sector, they could not produce desired results in promoting crop yields. He noted that a significant portion of finances (80%) go towards salaries, leaving only 20% for research work, which he said should have been otherwise. The minister stated that the government successfully achieved macroeconomic stability, a crucial foundation for GDP growth. “Building on this achievement, Pakistan’s economy is poised to transition towards sustainable growth from 2025 onwards. “Notably, this claim of economic stability isn’t just a government assertion, but has also been corroborated by independent sources, lending credibility to the country’s economic progress,” he added. Highlighted achievements he said that the government was successful in ensuring macroeconomic stability, reducing inflation to a single digit , and decreasing interest rates . He also mentioned an increase in consumption of cement and fertiliser, as well as a 58% surge in auto-sales, as indicators of the government’s prudent policies. Aurangzeb reiterated the government’s commitment to bringing reforms in taxation, energy, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) sectors, and emphasised the need to improve Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio, which currently stands at 9-10%, and aims to increase it to 13.5%. The minister also announced plans to simplify the taxation process, ensure digitisation, and reduce human intervention. On energy, Aurangzeb expressed hope that energy tariffs would come down, and efforts were underway to check leakages in DISCOS by bringing reforms with private sector engagement, the finance minister informed. He reiterated that the government’s role was to ensure regulations, while the private sector should lead the economy. The minister expressed intention to shut down Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) and create an alternative mechanism for maintaining strategic reserves, may be in private sector. He also questioned the effectiveness the Higher Education Commission. Aurangzeb assured farmers and stakeholders of his full support in addressing their grievances, emphasising the government’s commitment to serving the people of Pakistan.Accurate Background Appoints Mark Thompson Managing Director, Australia and APAC
Claas targets electric loaders and hydrogen engines for sustainable farming Claas is advancing sustainable farming with clear solutions: fully electric powertrains for smaller vehicles like telehandlers and hydrogen engines as a promising alternative for heavy-duty machines. These innovations aim to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of agricultural operations. The agricultural sector faces increasing pressure to adopt cleaner, more sustainable technologies without compromising performance. Claas is tackling this challenge with a dual focus: electric drives for lighter vehicles and hydrogen-powered engines for heavy machinery. As part of a €5.1 million research project funded by Germany’s Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Claas is collaborating with industry leaders such as Deutz, Mahle, and Liebherr. The project explores hydrogen engines’ potential to deliver robust, efficient, and low-emission performance in agricultural machines. Tests include real-world trials with hydrogen-powered vehicles and extensive material studies to ensure durability under demanding conditions. In addition to hydrogen, Claas also supports alternative fuels like HVO diesel. HVO, or , is a renewable diesel substitute made from sustainable feedstocks such as waste oils and fats. It offers up to a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional diesel and is already approved for use across the entire Claas product range. Claas is also investing in fully electric solutions. The Scorpion telehandler, showcased as a concept , represents the company’s vision for battery-powered equipment tailored for farmyard tasks. , Chief Technology Officer at Claas, explains : “Electric drives are ideal for lower-power applications, such as around the farm, while hydrogen and sustainable fuels are essential for high-performance machinery.” the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Claas targets electric loaders and hydrogen engines for sustainable farming, HORIBA Inaugurates India’s First Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Test Bed HORIBA India has inaugurated it’s first-ever Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) Test Bed Facility at the HORIBA India Technical... DEUTZ joins consortium to develop hydrogen engines for off-highway applications Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection provides funding of €5.1 million Objective is to develop hydrogen... Purem by Eberspaecher – Participation in consortium to develop hydrogen engines for off-road applications Examination of hydrogen applications in the construction and agricultural sectors – Joint project of...IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2024 / Accurate Background, the world's largest independent provider of compliant background checks and monitoring solutions, announced it has strengthened its global leadership team with the appointment of Mark Thompson, Managing Director, Australia and Asia Pacific region (APAC). In support of Accurate's vision to make every hire the start of a success story, Mark will lead Accurate's growth teams in the region. Mark's experience in building high-performance teams, driving enterprise sales and client retention, and leveraging data-driven strategies aligns with Accurate's goals to rapidly expand in the APAC region. Reporting to Dan Shoemaker, Chief Revenue Officer, Mark will spearhead the development and execution of sales strategies to drive market share, client growth, and regional innovation. "I am thrilled to welcome Mark to the Accurate team and am confident he will make an immediate impact on our growth in the region," said Dan Shoemaker. "Mark brings extensive experience not only growing businesses but also delivering a high standard of customer experience that is a hallmark of Accurate throughout the world." Mark joins Accurate with over two decades of strategic sales and marketing leadership in B2B markets. With a proven track record in revenue growth, team leadership, and market expansion, Mark successfully led sales and marketing initiatives across industries including background screening, financial services, and data solutions. "I'm honored to join Accurate Background at such an exciting time in the region. Employment screening plays a vital role in building trust and ensuring workplace integrity, and I look forward to collaborating with our talented team to deliver exceptional service and innovative solutions to our clients," said Mark Thompson. "With Accurate's strong global foundation, I believe we are uniquely positioned to expand our impact and support government and businesses across the region in navigating an evolving employment landscape." Accurate's recent launch of Accel, a next-generation platform that is 100% Australia-hosted, marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing market-leading capabilities for local organizations. About Accurate Background Our vision is to make every hire the start of a success story. As a trusted provider of employment background screening and workforce monitoring services, Accurate Background gives companies of all sizes the confidence to make smarter, unbiased hiring decisions at the speed of demand. Experience a new standard of support with a dedicated team, comprehensive technology and insight, and the most extensive coverage and search options to advance your business while keeping your brand and people safe. To learn more, visit accurate.com . Media Contact Media@Accurate.com SOURCE: Accurate Background LLC View the original on accesswire.com
Call for civil disobedience: Talks can’t be held with sword hanging over head: PMLN Ali Zafar urges govt to create conducive environment for talks ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the Senate on Thursday called for confidence-building measures prior to the talks, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) said it was ready but not with a sword hanging over its head, referring to the rival party’s threat of civil disobedience. Taking part in the discussion on the recent PTI protest, PTI Parliamentary Leader in the House Barrister Ali Zafar emphasized that trust in each other and CBMs were critically important for a dialogue to take place, as some members exchanged hot words. Ali Zafar complained that their workers were still being arrested. He urged the government to create a conducive environment for talks and contended how could talks be held in the given situation. The opposition legislator reiterated his party’s major demand for the formation of an independent commission to probe into what had happened on November 26, asking the government to apologise, if confirmed that peaceful protesters had been indiscriminately fired upon. He said his party was ready to fight a legal battle on all the cases registered against its leaders, including Imran Khan, and continue the struggle for fundamental rights of the people. He also claimed that their protesters were peaceful and unarmed. He said to peacefully protest was a fundamental right and the exercise of this right can in no way be branded as terrorism and anarchy. The PTI lawmaker contended that political stability was prerequisite for economic stability, saying there will be no need for protests if the people were given freedom. PMLN Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Irfan Siddiqui, in response to Zafar’s speech, questioned the PTI mantra of peaceful protest, insisting no peaceful protest starts with slogans of jihad or kill, or Panipat war. He wondered how would have Indian or US governments responded, had any state’s administrator led a march on their capital city. “Give one example out of 195 countries, if any protest is carried out with sticks and weapons. This time, no application was submitted for the protest, whereas there are related laws and rules,” he noted. Siddiqui said: “We have never closed the doors; even today we want to talk openly; we are ready for dialogue but do not want a sword hanging over our heads.” “It seems PTI’s point of view has changed towards us. If they (PTI) believe that they can shake hands with thieves and robbers, then talks can happen, then they should definitely do it. But they will have to abandon their old ways of politics,” he argued. He said that even today they want dialogue with an open heart, as things cannot move forward without dialogue. The PMLN legislator said that no formal talks have started with the PTI. “We do not know what the PTI founder’s point of view on talks is.” He said the PTI founder had a lot of burden on his shoulders. “The burden of May 9 is not small, and what he has done on November 26 is also not a small burden. This burden will not be easily removed by holding negotiations somewhere,” he said. Senator Siddiqui also said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman always speaks within the framework of the Constitution and law. PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman, in her speech, said her party had always talked about dialogue but the PTI remained opposed to it in the past; an offer was made to it even at the time of elections, which was rejected. Without naming former ISI DG Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, she said the ground realities have forced the PTI to talk about negotiations. Taking part in the discussion, PMLN Senator Talal Chaudhry said that parliament had failed the November 26 coup by passing the 26th Amendment. He claimed that before the 26th Amendment, the plan was that if there was chaos, the building next door would automatically take notice, and the government would be put on trial. However, he emphasized, parliament took back its authority. He said the PTI was playing tricks on talks to save Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed. Referring to the opposition party’s demand for a judicial commission on May 9 and November 26 events, he said the commission would be formed from the time PTI became Musharraf’s polling agent. JUIF Senator Maulana Abdul Wasay said that his party was the one running the movement against the 2018 elections, adding that same work that was done by the PTI then, is being done by today’s government. However, he wondered if the PTI was talking about negotiations, then why the government was insulting it.Baker Mayfield mocks Tommy DeVito's celebration as the Bucs embarrass the Giants 30-7
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield embarrassed the woeful Giants with his arm and legs, and if that wasn't enough, he rubbed it in by mimicking New York fan favorite Tommy DeVito's celebratory dance after scoring a touchdown. Mayfield catapulted into the end zone on a spectacular 10-yard scramble for one of Tampa Bay's four rushing TDs, and the Buccaneers beat the Giants and new starting quarterback DeVito 30-7 on Sunday, snapping a four-game losing streak and extending New York's skid to six.
Judith Graham | (TNS) KFF Health News Carolyn Dickens, 76, was sitting at her dining room table, struggling to catch her breath as her physician looked on with concern. “What’s going on with your breathing?” asked Peter Gliatto, director of Mount Sinai’s Visiting Doctors Program. “I don’t know,” she answered, so softly it was hard to hear. “Going from here to the bathroom or the door, I get really winded. I don’t know when it’s going to be my last breath.” Dickens, a lung cancer survivor, lives in central Harlem, barely getting by. She has serious lung disease and high blood pressure and suffers regular fainting spells. In the past year, she’s fallen several times and dropped to 85 pounds, a dangerously low weight. And she lives alone, without any help — a highly perilous situation. This is almost surely an undercount, since the data is from more than a dozen years ago. It’s a population whose numbers far exceed those living in nursing homes — about 1.2 million — and yet it receives much less attention from policymakers, legislators, and academics who study aging. Consider some eye-opening statistics about completely homebound seniors from a study published in 2020 in JAMA Internal Medicine : Nearly 40% have five or more chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease. Almost 30% are believed to have “probable dementia.” Seventy-seven percent have difficulty with at least one daily task such as bathing or dressing. Almost 40% live by themselves. That “on my own” status magnifies these individuals’ already considerable vulnerability, something that became acutely obvious during the covid-19 outbreak, when the number of sick and disabled seniors confined to their homes doubled. “People who are homebound, like other individuals who are seriously ill, rely on other people for so much,” said Katherine Ornstein, director of the Center for Equity in Aging at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. “If they don’t have someone there with them, they’re at risk of not having food, not having access to health care, not living in a safe environment.” Related Articles Health | Lawmakers seek to break up drug middlemen in push to reduce medication costs Health | Weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy are all the rage. Are they safe for kids? Health | Stanley recalls 2.6 million travel mugs over burn hazard from shrinking lids Health | Rural governments often fail to communicate with residents who aren’t proficient in English Health | Some breast cancer patients can avoid certain surgeries, studies suggest Research has shown that older homebound adults are less likely to receive regular primary care than other seniors. They’re also more likely to end up in the hospital with medical crises that might have been prevented if someone had been checking on them. To better understand the experiences of these seniors, I accompanied Gliatto on some home visits in New York City. Mount Sinai’s Visiting Doctors Program, established in 1995, is one of the oldest in the nation. Only 12% of older U.S. adults who rarely or never leave home have access to this kind of home-based primary care. Gliatto and his staff — seven part-time doctors, three nurse practitioners, two nurses, two social workers, and three administrative staffers — serve about 1,000 patients in Manhattan each year. These patients have complicated needs and require high levels of assistance. In recent years, Gliatto has had to cut staff as Mount Sinai has reduced its financial contribution to the program. It doesn’t turn a profit, because reimbursement for services is low and expenses are high. First, Gliatto stopped in to see Sandra Pettway, 79, who never married or had children and has lived by herself in a two-bedroom Harlem apartment for 30 years. Pettway has severe spinal problems and back pain, as well as Type 2 diabetes and depression. She has difficulty moving around and rarely leaves her apartment. “Since the pandemic, it’s been awfully lonely,” she told me. When I asked who checks in on her, Pettway mentioned her next-door neighbor. There’s no one else she sees regularly. Pettway told the doctor she was increasingly apprehensive about an upcoming spinal surgery. He reassured her that Medicare would cover in-home nursing care, aides, and physical therapy services. “Someone will be with you, at least for six weeks,” he said. Left unsaid: Afterward, she would be on her own. (The surgery in April went well, Gliatto reported later.) The doctor listened carefully as Pettway talked about her memory lapses. “I can remember when I was a year old, but I can’t remember 10 minutes ago,” she said. He told her that he thought she was managing well but that he would arrange testing if there was further evidence of cognitive decline. For now, he said, he’s not particularly worried about her ability to manage on her own. Several blocks away, Gliatto visited Dickens, who has lived in her one-bedroom Harlem apartment for 31 years. Dickens told me she hasn’t seen other people regularly since her sister, who used to help her out, had a stroke. Most of the neighbors she knew well have died. Her only other close relative is a niece in the Bronx whom she sees about once a month. Dickens worked with special-education students for decades in New York City’s public schools. Now she lives on a small pension and Social Security — too much to qualify for Medicaid. (Medicaid, the program for low-income people, will pay for aides in the home. Medicare, which covers people over age 65, does not.) Like Pettway, she has only a small fixed income, so she can’t afford in-home help. Every Friday, God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that prepares medically tailored meals for sick people, delivers a week’s worth of frozen breakfasts and dinners that Dickens reheats in the microwave. She almost never goes out. When she has energy, she tries to do a bit of cleaning. Without the ongoing attention from Gliatto, Dickens doesn’t know what she’d do. “Having to get up and go out, you know, putting on your clothes, it’s a task,” she said. “And I have the fear of falling.” The next day, Gliatto visited Marianne Gluck Morrison, 73, a former survey researcher for New York City’s personnel department, in her cluttered Greenwich Village apartment. Morrison, who doesn’t have any siblings or children, was widowed in 2010 and has lived alone since. Morrison said she’d been feeling dizzy over the past few weeks, and Gliatto gave her a basic neurological exam, asking her to follow his fingers with her eyes and touch her fingers to her nose. “I think your problem is with your ear, not your brain,” he told her, describing symptoms of vertigo. Because she had severe wounds on her feet related to Type 2 diabetes, Morrison had been getting home health care for several weeks through Medicare. But those services — help from aides, nurses, and physical therapists — were due to expire in two weeks. “I don’t know what I’ll do then, probably just spend a lot of time in bed,” Morrison told me. Among her other medical conditions: congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis, an irregular heartbeat, chronic kidney disease, and depression. Morrison hasn’t left her apartment since November 2023, when she returned home after a hospitalization and several months at a rehabilitation center. Climbing the three steps that lead up into her apartment building is simply too hard. “It’s hard to be by myself so much of the time. It’s lonely,” she told me. “I would love to have people see me in the house. But at this point, because of the clutter, I can’t do it.” When I asked Morrison who she feels she can count on, she listed Gliatto and a mental health therapist from Henry Street Settlement, a social services organization. She has one close friend she speaks with on the phone most nights. “The problem is I’ve lost eight to nine friends in the last 15 years,” she said, sighing heavily. “They’ve died or moved away.” Bruce Leff, director of the Center for Transformative Geriatric Research at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, is a leading advocate of home-based medical care. “It’s kind of amazing how people find ways to get by,” he said when I asked him about homebound older adults who live alone. “There’s a significant degree of frailty and vulnerability, but there is also substantial resilience.” With the rapid expansion of the aging population in the years ahead, Leff is convinced that more kinds of care will move into the home, everything from rehab services to palliative care to hospital-level services. “It will simply be impossible to build enough hospitals and health facilities to meet the demand from an aging population,” he said. But that will be challenging for homebound older adults who are on their own. Without on-site family caregivers, there may be no one around to help manage this home-based care. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Turkish Airlines to Begin Operations at The New Terminal One at JFK and Unveil World-Class Lounge
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected fraudster, Osang Otukpa, for allegedly defrauding 139 Australians to the tune of eight million Australian dollars. The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. He said the suspect was picked up in a stakeout at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, after arriving from the United States on December 6. Oyewale said: “Otukpa goes by five aliases namely: Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto and Kristin Davidson. “He scammed his victims by luring them on social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group (LAG). “The proceeds of the alleged crimes were routed to his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform.” He said the suspect would be arraigned in court at the end of the investigations. Opinions Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs. As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake. If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause. Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development. Donate NowAIR FORCE 82, MERCYHURST 48
Dayle Haddon's daughter says there are 'no accidents' in life as she pays tribute to her late motherNew York, NY, Dec. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an era where customer expectations are higher than ever and the need for quick, accurate information is paramount, Goldmarketer.com has taken a groundbreaking step in transforming the landscape of online financial services. The platform, a long-established leader in digital gold and financial derivatives, has unveiled the world's first 24-hour AI intelligent customer service, setting a new standard for how financial platforms can deliver efficient, personalized support to users worldwide. A Game-Changer for Financial Services Goldmarketer.com, a comprehensive internet-based financial platform, has long been a trusted name in the world of digital gold trading, foreign exchange (forex), cryptocurrency, stocks, ETFs, and other financial instruments. With years of experience and a wide range of advanced products, Goldmarketer has always been at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology into its operations. The launch of its 24-hour AI-powered customer service is a major milestone, not just for Goldmarketer but for the entire financial services industry. As digital platforms become increasingly integrated into daily financial management, the need for immediate, precise, and round-the-clock support is growing. Recognizing this shift, Goldmarketer.com has leveraged the power of artificial intelligence to ensure that users have access to real-time assistance, whenever they need it. Why AI-Powered Customer Service? Traditional customer support models in the financial industry, particularly those dealing with complex and diverse products like forex, crypto, and digital gold, often struggle to provide quick responses or address inquiries effectively. This can lead to frustration among users, especially during critical trading moments when every second counts. Goldmarketer.com's AI intelligent customer service is designed to tackle these challenges by using advanced algorithms and machine learning to handle a wide array of customer inquiries, from basic account-related questions to more complex financial transactions. The system can interpret user queries in real-time, offering highly relevant and accurate responses in a fraction of a second. Whether it's assisting with forex trading strategies, providing updates on cryptocurrency prices, or offering guidance on ETF investments, the AI system ensures that users receive precise, helpful support without delay. The Power of 24-Hour Availability In today's fast-paced financial environment, markets operate around the clock. Forex trading and cryptocurrency exchanges, for example, never sleep. For active traders, this means that support needs to be available at any time, regardless of time zone. Goldmarketer.com's AI-powered customer service is a game-changer because it operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Users can access help no matter where they are or what time it is, eliminating the need to wait for human agents to become available. The platform's AI is capable of handling a wide range of common queries automatically, but it also seamlessly escalates more complex issues to human agents when necessary. This hybrid approach ensures that users get both the speed and the personalized attention they need, while still benefiting from the efficiency of AI. How It Works Goldmarketer.com's AI-powered customer service is integrated directly into the platform, accessible via the website, mobile app, and other user interfaces. When users encounter an issue or have a question, they simply type or speak their query into the system. The AI then processes the request using natural language processing (NLP) to understand the intent behind the query, before providing an answer or taking action. In cases where the query requires a more nuanced response or specialized knowledge, the AI will prompt the user to either schedule a call with a human agent or continue the conversation in more detail. The AI system can handle inquiries in multiple languages, ensuring that Goldmarketer's global user base receives support in their native language, enhancing accessibility and user experience. Benefits for Users Instant Support: With AI handling requests around the clock, users no longer need to wait for business hours or deal with long response times. Enhanced Accuracy: Powered by machine learning, the AI continuously improves its ability to understand and address user needs, reducing the chances of human error. Scalable Assistance: Whether there's a spike in user activity or a steady stream of queries, the AI is designed to scale seamlessly, ensuring that every user gets the help they need without delay. Global Reach: The 24-hour availability and multilingual support mean that users across the world-no matter where they are-can receive expert guidance whenever they need it. Personalized Experience: The AI is not just a generic response tool; it's designed to learn from interactions, offering tailored recommendations and personalized insights based on a user's trading habits and preferences. Looking Ahead: The Future of Financial Platforms The integration of AI in customer service is just one of many ways Goldmarketer.com is embracing technological innovation to improve user experience. With the financial industry increasingly turning to automation and AI to streamline processes, Goldmarketer.com is leading the way with its smart customer service system. Looking ahead, the platform plans to expand the capabilities of its AI system to offer even more sophisticated tools for users, from automated trading insights to personalized portfolio management suggestions. By continually evolving its technology, Goldmarketer aims to remain at the forefront of the digital finance revolution. Conclusion Goldmarketer.com's launch of the world's first 24-hour AI intelligent customer service represents a significant step forward in the evolution of online financial platforms. As the demand for instantaneous, accurate, and round-the-clock support grows, this innovative feature positions Goldmarketer as not just a platform for digital gold and financial derivatives, but as a pioneer in the future of customer service in the financial industry. With AI at the helm, users can expect a smoother, more efficient experience-no matter the time of day or night. Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. CONTACT: Jack Levin support at goldmarketer.comMolly-Mae Hague shares major fashion line update after backlash over Maebe clothing brand
Jimmy Carter had the longest post-presidency of anyone to hold the office, and one of the most active. Here is a look back at his life. 1924 — Jimmy Carter was born on Oct. 1 to Earl and Lillian Carter in the small town of Plains, Georgia. 1928 — Earl Carter bought a 350-acre farm 3 miles from Plains in the tiny community of Archery. The Carter family lived in a house on the farm without running water or electricity. 1941 — He graduated from Plains High School and enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus. 1942 — He transferred to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. 1943 — Carter’s boyhood dream of being in the Navy becomes a reality as he is appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. 1946 — He received his naval commission and on July 7 married Rosalynn Smith of Plains. They moved to Norfolk, Virginia. 1946-1952 — Carter’s three sons are born, Jack in 1947, Chip in 1950 and Jeff in 1952. 1962-66 — Carter is elected to the Georgia State Senate and serves two terms. 1953 — Carter’s father died and he cut his naval career short to save the family farm. Due to a limited income, Jimmy, Rosalynn and their three sons moved into Public Housing Apartment 9A in Plains. 1966 — He ran for governor, but lost. 1967 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s fourth child, Amy, is born. 1971 — He ran for governor again and won the election, becoming Georgia’s 76th governor on Jan. 12. 1974 — Carter announced his candidacy for president. 1976 — Carter was elected 39th president on Nov. 2, narrowly defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. 1978 — U.S. and the Peoples’ Republic of China establish full diplomatic relations. President Carter negotiates and mediates an accord between Egypt and Israel at Camp David. 1979 — The Department of Education is formed. Iranian radicals overrun the U.S. Embassy and seize American hostages. The Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty is signed. 1980 — On March 21, Carter announces that the U.S. will boycott the Olympic Games scheduled in Moscow. A rescue attempt to get American hostages out of Iran is unsuccessful. Carter was defeated in his bid for a second term as president by Ronald Reagan in November. 1981 — President Carter continues to negotiate the release of the American hostages in Iran. Minutes before his term as president is over, the hostages are released. 1982 — Carter became a distinguished professor at Emory University in Atlanta, and founded The Carter Center. The nonpartisan and nonprofit center addresses national and international issues of public policy. 1984 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter volunteer one week a year for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps needy people in the United States and in other countries renovate and build homes, until 2020. He also taught Sunday school in the Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains from the mid-’80s until 2020. 2002 — Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 2015 — Carter announced in August he had been diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his brain. 2016 — He said in March that he no longer needed cancer treatment. 2024 — Carter dies at 100 years old. Sources: Cartercenter.org, Plains Historical Preservation Trust, The Associated Press; The Brookings Institution; U.S. Navy; WhiteHouse.gov, Gallup
‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained?
