9jili Christmas this year carries a shadow of uncertainty for the residents of South Dimai Punjee village, a local Khasi community in Moulvibazar's Barlekha upazila. The residents are reeling after miscreants destroyed around 350 trees from three betel plantations last week. For the Khasi community, betel cultivation is their primary source of livelihood, and the destruction has brought deep shock and financial hardship for them ahead of Christmas. Confirming the incident, Kennedy Sumer, the punjee headman, said the damage is estimated at Tk 6 lakh. "This happened just three days after 6-7 sacks of betel leaves were stolen from the punjee. We have filed a formal complaint, but we are unsure who is responsible as there is no known conflict," he said. The affected farmers shared their distress. Nami Lamarang, a betel farmer in the punjee, said, "Our family relies entirely on growing betel leaves for income. We had nurtured the trees over the past 10 years. We were hoping to sell the leaves ahead of Chirstmas. Now everything is destroyed." Bruceli Lamin and Mindu Sumer, two other farmers, echoed her. The incident has been met with widespread condemnation from locals, who called upon the authorities concerned to identify the perpetrators promptly and ensure their appropriate punishment. Dulal Sarkar, a sub-inspector of Barlekha Police Station, said he visited the crime scene and spoke to the victims. "The trees were destroyed at night with no witnesses, but we are pursuing leads," he said. Saju Marchiang, publicity secretary of the Khasi Social Council and also a betel grower, said, "This year was already difficult, as hailstorms caused extensive damage to the trees earlier, while betel leaves prices have been low. Even now, the prices are still going much lower compared to last year." "The recent incident would further plunge the victims into severe financial distress," he added. Subimol Lindokiri, former assistant public prosecutor at Moulvibazar Judge's Court, called for swift and permanent measures to address such recurring incidents within the punjee villages that endanger the community's security, stability and future. There are around 80 punjee villages in Moulvibazar, 10-12 in Sylhet, and another in Habiganj. Christmas this year carries a shadow of uncertainty for the residents of South Dimai Punjee village, a local Khasi community in Moulvibazar's Barlekha upazila. The residents are reeling after miscreants destroyed around 350 trees from three betel plantations last week. For the Khasi community, betel cultivation is their primary source of livelihood, and the destruction has brought deep shock and financial hardship for them ahead of Christmas. Confirming the incident, Kennedy Sumer, the punjee headman, said the damage is estimated at Tk 6 lakh. "This happened just three days after 6-7 sacks of betel leaves were stolen from the punjee. We have filed a formal complaint, but we are unsure who is responsible as there is no known conflict," he said. The affected farmers shared their distress. Nami Lamarang, a betel farmer in the punjee, said, "Our family relies entirely on growing betel leaves for income. We had nurtured the trees over the past 10 years. We were hoping to sell the leaves ahead of Chirstmas. Now everything is destroyed." Bruceli Lamin and Mindu Sumer, two other farmers, echoed her. The incident has been met with widespread condemnation from locals, who called upon the authorities concerned to identify the perpetrators promptly and ensure their appropriate punishment. Dulal Sarkar, a sub-inspector of Barlekha Police Station, said he visited the crime scene and spoke to the victims. "The trees were destroyed at night with no witnesses, but we are pursuing leads," he said. Saju Marchiang, publicity secretary of the Khasi Social Council and also a betel grower, said, "This year was already difficult, as hailstorms caused extensive damage to the trees earlier, while betel leaves prices have been low. Even now, the prices are still going much lower compared to last year." "The recent incident would further plunge the victims into severe financial distress," he added. Subimol Lindokiri, former assistant public prosecutor at Moulvibazar Judge's Court, called for swift and permanent measures to address such recurring incidents within the punjee villages that endanger the community's security, stability and future. There are around 80 punjee villages in Moulvibazar, 10-12 in Sylhet, and another in Habiganj.

Global Computerized Maintenance Management System Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-Maintenance Connection, IFS, EMaint, Hippo, IBMLabour and Tory supporters will hope this is fake news. Elon Musk has already declared war on Sir Keir Starmer and last week suggested that Nigel Farage’s Reform party would form the next government. The Tesla tycoon, who is the world’s richest man, could be about to put his money where his mouth is. This weekend, leading businessmen and Conservative Party officials believe there is a credible prospect that Musk is preparing to give $100 million (£78 million) to Farage as a “ f*** you Starmer payment” with a view to transforming British politics. Such a move could obliterate the Conservative Party as the main challenger to Labour before Kemi Badenoch , the new leader of the opposition, has made her mark. It would also

AP Business SummaryBrief at 1:39 p.m. EST

Bears interim coach Thomas Brown insists he's focused on task at hand and not what his future holdsFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Republican senators pushed back on Sunday against criticism from Democrats that Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s pick to lead U.S. intelligence services, is “compromised” by her comments supportive of Russia and secret meetings , as a congresswoman, with Syria’s president, a close ally of the Kremlin and Iran. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a veteran of combat missions in Iraq, said she had concerns about Gabbard . “I think she’s compromised,” Duckworth said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” citing Gabbard’s 2017 trip to Syria, where she held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Gabbard was a Democratic House member from Hawaii at the time. “The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with America’s foes. And so my worry is that she couldn’t pass a background check,” Duckworth said. Gabbard, who said last month she is joining the Republican Party, has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades. She was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait and, according to the Hawaii National Guard, received a Combat Medical Badge in 2005 for “participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.” Duckworth’s comments drew immediate criticism from Republicans. “For her to say ridiculous and outright dangerous words like that is wrong,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said on CNN, challenging Duckworth to retract her words. “That’s the most dangerous thing she could say — is that a United States lieutenant colonel in the United States Army is compromised and is an asset of Russia.” In recent days, other Democrats have accused Gabbard without evidence of being a “Russian asset.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, has claimed, without offering details, that Gabbard is in Russian President Vladimir “Putin’s pocket.” Mullin and others say the criticism from Democrats is rooted in the fact that Gabbard left their party and has become a Trump ally. Democrats say they worry that Gabbard’s selection as national intelligence chief endangers ties with allies and gives Russia a win. Rep. Adam B. Schiff, a California Democrat just elected to the Senate, said he would not describe Gabbard as a Russian asset, but said she had “very questionable judgment.” “The problem is if our foreign allies don’t trust the head of our intelligence agencies, they’ll stop sharing information with us,” Schiff said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Gabbard in 2022 endorsed one of Russia’s justifications for invading Ukraine: the existence of dozens of U.S.-funded biolabs working on some of the world’s nastiest pathogens. The labs are part of an international effort to control outbreaks and stop bioweapons, but Moscow claimed Ukraine was using them to create deadly bioweapons. Gabbard said she just voiced concerns about protecting the labs. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) said he thought it was “totally ridiculous” that Gabbard was being cast as a Russian asset for having different political views. “It’s insulting. It’s a slur, quite frankly. There’s no evidence that she’s a asset of another country,” he said on NBC. Sen. James Lankford, another Oklahoma Republican, acknowledged having “lots of questions” for Gabbard as the Senate considers her nomination to lead the intelligence services. Lankford said on NBC that he wants to ask Gabbard about her meeting with Assad and some of her past comments about Russia. “We want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was. As a member of Congress, we want to get a chance to talk about past comments that she’s made and get them into full context,” Lankford said. Licon writes for the Associated Press.

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Federal Communications Commission said on Tuesday it has approved a license for T-Mobile and Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink unit to provide supplemental coverage from space in a bid to extend internet access to remote areas. The license marks the first time the FCC has authorized a satellite operator collaborating with a wireless carrier to provide supplemental telecommunications coverage from space on some flexible-use spectrum bands allocated to terrestrial service. The partnership aims to extend the reach of wireless networks to remote areas and eliminate “dead zones.” T-Mobile and SpaceX announced a partnership in 2022 and in January the first set of satellites supporting the partnership was launched into low-Earth orbit with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. “The FCC is actively promoting competition in the space economy by supporting more partnerships between terrestrial mobile carriers and satellite operators to deliver on a single network future that will put an end to mobile dead zones,” said FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel. The satellites have direct-to-cell technology to work with T-Mobile’s network to expand coverage. T-Mobile said this year that over 500,000 square miles (1.3 million square km) of the United States are unreachable by towers because of the terrain, land-use restrictions and other factors. In March, the FCC established a new regulatory framework for supplemental coverage from space to extend the reach of wireless networks to remote areas while preserving high service quality in 4G and 5G networks and preventing harmful interference. While this is the first partnership that has received agency approval, other companies have pending applications for review before the FCC. Last month, the FCC allowed SpaceX and T-Mobile to enable Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability to provide coverage for cellphones in areas of North Carolina hit hard by Hurricane Helene. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Rod Nickel) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

Unlike other up-and-coming British actors, Dickinson didn’t attend fancy schools; he says that’s made it hard to get roles, though he’s built a ‘pleasingly weird CV’ – he’s also dated Gray since school When speaking of rising new actors in the film and TV industry, few are as babygirl-coded as, well, Babygirl star Harris Dickinson. Helmed by Bodies Bodies Bodies director Halina Reijn, the recently released erotic thriller stars the fresh-faced 28-year-old as an intern who engages in a steamy affair with his much older and more powerful CEO, played by Nicole Kidman . The film, which also stars Hollywood heavyweights Antonio Banderas and Jean Reno, made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival this year – where it was nominated for best film – and was released in theatres in the US today, December 25. Dickinson also stars in Steve McQueen’s latest film, Blitz , which follows a group of Londoners during World War II. The film premiered in October at the London Film Festival. Advertisement If social media is anything to go by, fans are waiting for everyone else to fall in love with the British actor whose “pleasingly weird CV” has gained him much praise. Well on his way to achieving “internet boyfriend” status while also being shopped as a popular pick for the next James Bond , Dickinson’s career is on an upwards curve, and we love to see it. So, what else do we know about Harris Dickinson, the Prada ambassador who just starred in the brand’s latest campaign, is known as a Dior favourite, and is winning hearts worldwide? What has Harris Dickinson acted in? {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ImageObject","caption":"Harris Dickinson with Emma Corrin in A Murder at the End of the World. Photo: @harrisdickinson/Instagram","url":"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/12/20/40441f19-3791-492f-811f-cf5fe475fce9_f175ae64.jpg"} Harris Dickinson with Emma Corrin in A Murder at the End of the World. Photo: @harrisdickinson/Instagram Dickinson has built an impressive filmography in a very short amount of time. Some of his most notable works include the films Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019), The King’s Man (2021), Triangle of Sadness (2022), Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) and The Iron Claw (2023). His appearance in the TV series A Murder at the End of the World (2023) even earned him a BAFTA nomination. What is Harris Dickinson’s background? The Scrapper star was born on June 24, 1996, in Leytonstone and grew up in Walthamstow, both in East London. His social worker father and hairdresser mother raised him alongside his two siblings. Per The Guardian, he didn’t go to any fancy schools. Nevertheless, he developed a penchant for art. “Art was the only subject in school I really excelled in. Everything else, I was kind of rubbish at, and art still now is the only thing that can calm my mind and separate me from stuff”, the two-time BAFTA nominee told Vulture.

After ATACMS & Storm Shadow Strikes, 'Russia's Patience Runs Out,' Says French Military AnalystNone

NORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kids

What is the image that you conjure up when you hear the term “able-bodied”? It means a person who has, and is in full control of, all bodily organs. But not everyone is so lucky. An estimated 1.3 billion people out of the world population of eight billion experience significant disability. This represents 16 percent of the world’s population, or in simple terms, one in six of us. Life is indeed difficult for those born with some sort of disability or those who get disabled later in life through accidents, disease and other circumstances. At the same time, many disabled people have unique talents and skills (inborn or acquired) which sometimes exceed those of able-bodied persons. Sometimes, Nature itself lends a hand to those who lack one or more cognitive functions. For example, it is rather well-known that most blind people have exceptional hearing that helps them navigate the world around them with minimal help. Hence the politically correct term “differently-abled” for those who suffer from some sort of disability. Overall, though, life is difficult for those experiencing some sort of disability. Many persons with disabilities die up to 20 years earlier than those without disabilities. Persons with disabilities have twice the risk of developing conditions such as depression, asthma, diabetes, stroke, obesity or poor oral health. According to the United Nations (UN), health inequities arise from unfair conditions faced by persons with disabilities, including stigma, discrimination, poverty, exclusion from education and employment, and barriers faced in the health system itself. Just to give an example, even some hospitals do not have access ramps for wheelchairs. Sugath Wasantha de Silva, Sri Lanka’s first ever visually impaired MP The leadership of persons with disabilities is epitomised by the global disability rights movement’s slogan “Nothing About Us Without Us”. It connotes the basic requirements of participation, representation and inclusion and calls for persons with disabilities to actively shape the conditions of their lives. Promoting inclusive development One of the priorities of the global disability agenda is to advance the agency and leadership of persons with disabilities. In the past decades, persons with disabilities and organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) have already championed for the changes in their communities, and have been leading many of the community-led initiatives not only to advance their own rights, and wellbeing but also promoting inclusive development for instance enabling universal access to basic services by all; they have done so by taking both targeted and mainstreaming approaches to disability inclusion through, among others, consultation, data collection and analysis, and support with advocacy and accountability efforts. The observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 (IDPD 2024) on December 3 takes place against the backdrop of pivotal global developments, from the Summit of the Future to the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development. These key global Summits will complement one another in providing a continuous roadmap toward disability-inclusive and sustainable peace and development. By emphasising this complementarity, the theme chosen for the observance in 2024 aims to underscore the importance of leveraging the leadership of persons with disabilities to ensure disability-inclusive and sustainable peace and development for all. In this regard, a recent development in Sri Lanka bodes well. For the first time ever in Sri Lanka, a visually impaired person has become a Member of Parliament. This is a significant breakthrough, as he will be a beacon of hope for many other differently-abled persons to reach greater horizons in life. It is hoped that this will open the door to many more disabled persons to tread the same path. A disability should not be a liability to the person concerned or to the society. In other words, they can be productive and useful to society. One shortcoming we have witnessed in Sri Lanka is that many so-called “equal opportunity” employers are rather reluctant to recruit differently-abled persons. But there are many jobs that they can do with some training. For example, a visually impaired person can easily work as a telephone operator. A hearing impaired person can engage in clerical duties without any difficulty. Yet, only a few companies give them a chance. And it is extremely rare for a differently-abled person to become a company director or CEO here, though in other countries there are plenty of examples. Another bone of contention is the paucity or even outright lack of support services for the disabled community. Guide dogs for the legally blind are unheard of here, whereas it is very common abroad. Guide dogs are literally the eyes of visually impaired persons and allow them to live independently without having a permanent human guide. The Government or a charity (foreign funding is readily available) should begin a “training school” for guide dogs (the main breeds are Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Standard Poodles, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Boxers, Airedales, Collies and Doberman) in Sri Lanka, so that they can be allocated to visually impaired persons. Granted, maintaining a GR or BC is rather expensive, but again, a charity can step in. More books should be published in Braille and all equipment used by the blind should be allowed in duty and tax free. Another challenge The hearing impaired have another challenge – there are only around 10 professionally qualified sign language translators in the whole country. Only two channels employ sign language translators for news broadcasts, though Parliament proceedings are also shown with sign language interpretation. The country needs more real-time sign language interpreters. In the alternative, all TV programs should be subtitled in Sinhala and Tamil, as appropriate. All hearing aids and implants imports should be free of duties and taxes. Although all new buildings are supposed to be disabled-friendly, this is not always the case as we have observed in many instances. Many of them still do not have ramps for wheelchair access nor toilets designed for wheelchair users. While city planners have designed pebble effect sidewalks and crossings with audible signals for the visually impaired, such facilities have not been extended to most buildings. Even elevators are supposed to have tactile numbers for their benefit, but such lifts are few and far between. Also, there should be more outlets for making and selling prosthetics that benefit amputees, both congenital and accident cases. Again, all equipment for these persons should be free of import duties and taxes. Society has still not taken cognisance of silent disabilities, whereby a person may appear to be completely normal but is actually harbouring a disability within. Dementia is one such disability, of which even scientists know little about. The condition can, however, be really debilitating, not only for the patient but also for his or her family members. Some people may also be suffering inside from depression or other mental issues, which may take a heavy toll including suicide. It is best to seek counselling in such instances. Some physical diseases may also manifest as disabilities. Long Covid, a condition where some Covid-19 symptoms such as fatigue and joint pains last for a couple of years, can make a patient effectively bed-ridden. Then there are diseases that can gradually lead to permanent disability – a good example being Glaucoma, which can lead to blindness if not detected and treated early. Osteoporosis can be dangerous in the case of a fall. In fact, many disabilities can be prevented if preventive action and mindfulness are practised. It is no secret that many accidents happen in workplaces. Occupational Safety must be a priority for all workplaces, but especially so in the case of factories, construction sites and machinery operations. From helmets to boots to goggles, all safety precautions and protective wear regulations must be followed to avoid accidents. Motor accidents can also result in severe disabilities, mostly the loss of limbs. It is best to practice discipline while on the road, regardless of whether you are a motorist or a pedestrian. This can prevent most accidents. A disability may no longer be a lifetime sentence of suffering if technology has its way. If you remember TV serials such as Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman (well, I am a child of the 80s), they feature lead characters who have bionic or artificial implants that are way more powerful than natural organs such as eyes and hands. The hit movie Robocop featured a “dead” policeman who is brought back to life through such bionic implants. But this may be commonplace say, a decade or two from now. The biggest breakthroughs are reported from vision advancements targeted at the legally blind. Right now, “bionic” eyes work well only for those who have had sight previously, but solutions are on the way for those blind from birth or infancy. Some scientists have turned to Nature in the hunt for bionic vision. A team of engineers from the Center for Nanoparticle Research, Seoul National University, the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, all in Korea, has developed a new type of artificial eye based on natural cat eyes. Latest research Meanwhile, results of the first clinical trial of Australia’s second-generation bionic eye have demonstrated ‘substantial improvement’ in four participants’ functional vision, daily activities and quality of life over a period of more than two and a half years. The bionic eye comprises an electrode array, designed by the Bionics Institute and the Center for Eye Research Australia, that is surgically implanted behind the eye. The electrode receives signals from a video camera mounted on glasses, which stimulate the patient’s retina. The camera converts images into electrical pulses delivered by the electrode array that activate retinal cells and create flashes of light called phosphenes to help patients detect edges, shapes and movement. Likewise, there are high hopes for those who have lost their limbs in accidents or even partially paralysed persons. Scientists have now realized that restoring full mobility for such persons means restoring the ability to sense touch and temperature, not just hold an object. However, many challenges remain because Somatosensation — the collection of senses that interpret touch, temperature, pain and body position — is dauntingly complex. Yet, rapid advances in prosthetics are likely to give a new lease of life for amputees and those who do not possess one or more limbs from birth. In fact, advanced exoskeletons could enable even totally paralysed persons to walk. The final, and perhaps the most controversial frontier in the battle against is gene editing in the womb itself. In other words, scientists are even now theoretically capable of identifying certain congenital diseases and defects in fetuses and rectifying some of them through gene editing techniques. But this is an ethical and moral minefield that many scientists do not want to venture into. It is indeed a moral dilemma, but what if gene editing can give a better life to a baby who would otherwise be deformed? Answering this question in the affirmative could give us a world without disabilities. Still, it is not an easy question to answer. Perhaps the future will bring better answers and better solutions to end all disabilities.Mantis scores 17 points off the bench as Maine downs Holy Cross 80-55

T he Biden Administration commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates on Monday. The last-minute move has been widely criticized, and justifiably so. The clemency has devastated some family members of the victims. Families that the Biden Administration didn't bother to consult or even notify that the monsters that raped and murdered their loved ones would be shown mercy. Does anyone believe Joe Biden had the decency to first warn the victims' families that clemency was coming for killers? Of course not. Biden is both corrupt and fundamentally indecent. Some of those family members are speaking out. Victim’s shattered kin wants Biden to ‘explain to our faces’ stunning death-row Christmas clemency https://t.co/8HsGsrKBIm pic.twitter.com/EMatOxEheK Alex Snell, the brother of Amanda Snell, spoke to the New York Post about the commuted sentence of Jorge Avila-Torrez, who murdered his sister in 2009. President Biden needs to explain his death-sentence commutations “to our faces,” says the furious brother of a young female naval officer murdered by one of the “despicable’’ clemency recipients. “I’d rather see it go back to the way it was, where he was sentenced to death,” said Alex Snell, 42, of Jorge Avila-Torrez, who fatally strangled Snell’s 20-year-old sister, Amanda Snell, in her Arlington, Va., barracks in July 2009. “He should have gotten that penalty,” Snell told The Post of the killer — who also sexually assaulted and murdered two little girls and raped a grad student. In a sweeping act of clemency, Biden lowered the death-penalty sentences of 37 of the feds’ 40 current death-row inmates to life in prison without parole Snell called Biden's act of clemency for the man who killed his sister 'Despicable.' President Biden needs to explain his death-sentence commutations “to our faces,” says the furious brother of a young female naval officer murdered by one of the “despicable’’ clemency recipients. It's highly unlikely that anyone from the Biden Administration will reach out to the victim's families. Looking family members in the eye when you are about to show mercy to their loved one's murderers would take courage, and courage is something Biden is gravely lacking. Brandon Council was sentenced to death for the murders of Donna Major and Katie Skeen during a 2017 bank robbery. Donna's family spoke to Fox News about Council's commutation. Watch. Donna Major’s family SLAMS Joe Biden for granting clemency to her kiIIer right before Christmas without speaking to them pic.twitter.com/GrSYOURxTO Donna's daughter, Heather Turner, requested a face-to-face meeting with the Pardon Attorney in May. Those requests were denied. This administration was not tone-deaf; they just didn't care. The Biden administration released a statement attempting to spin their spineless decision to commute the death sentences of some of our nation's worst offenders as a moral one. I am commuting the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole. This action is consistent with my Administration's moratorium on federal executions, except for cases involving terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. pic.twitter.com/Obxfytxxbb If there were truly courage to Biden's convictions, would he not have granted clemency to all 40 death row inmates? If it were truly a moral choice, why are there exceptions to his morality? If he can not in good conscience allow the next administration to resume executions, then why leave three men on death row to execute? The political stunt has rubbed salt in the wounds of the families who lost loved one and they are pissed. They're not alone. Joseph Biden is filth... https://t.co/xCrfYi3x8a No doubt Biden would pardon this sicko if he were on federal death row https://t.co/cnzUhfctTf Biden's legacy, from the open border to this spineless act of clemency, will be as the president who neutered America. At every opportunity, both domestically and internationally, the Biden administration has projected weakness. Thankfully, this invertebrate of an administration will end in less than a month. It may be too late for the families affected by this cowardly decision, but at least on January 20th, this country will get her spine back.

The agent for Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki fired back at rumors suggesting his client already has a handshake agreement in place with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Speculation within MLB is that Sasaki and the Dodgers already have some sort of informal agreement for him to sign there once the next international free agency period opens, to the point that teams have raised the issue with the office of commissioner Rob Manfred, according to Evan Drellich of The Athletic . The speculation reached the point that Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe of Wasserman, vehemently denied the claims. “While a bunch of executives who should know me better and do a lot of business with me insult my integrity by insinuating that I would be a part of some type of nefarious agreement, in reality, this is just poor sportsmanship,” Wolfe told The Athletic . Sasaki is not expected to officially sign with a team until after Jan. 15 of next year . At that point, each team’s international bonus money will refresh itself, theoretically giving more teams the opportunity to get involved in the Sasaki market. That has not stopped the Dodgers rumors, and Sasaki has been linked with the team ever since it was revealed that he would be posted this offseason. In spite of that, there has been some pushback suggesting that the Dodgers may not even be the favorites to sign Sasaki. The 23-year-old right hander is regarded as one of the best pitching prospects ever to come out of Japan. He has a 2.10 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP, and 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings over four total NPB seasons. This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

The US Financial Wellness Benefits Market Report 2029: Southern US to Take the Lead - Arizton 11-26-2024 07:14 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire U.S. Financial Wellness Benefits Market Research Report by Arizton According to Arizton's latest research report, the US financial wellness benefits market [ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/us-financial-wellness-benefits-market ] is growing at a CAGR of 12.91% during 2023-2029. Looking for More Information? Click: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/us-financial-wellness-benefits-market Report Scope: Market Size (2029): $1.21 Billion Market Size (2023): $587.02 Million CAGR (2023-2029): 12.91% Historic Year: 2020-2022 Base Year: 2023 Forecast Year: 2024-2029 Market Segmentation: Program, End-User, Delivery, Type, Industry, and Region Geographical Analysis: United States (South, West, Midwest, and Northeast) Since 2020, the definition of employee wellness has evolved, with an increasing focus on both mental and physical health, alongside financial well-being. Workers, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, now equate wellness with financial security-freedom from debt, the ability to spend without worry, and sufficient savings for emergencies. This shift has prompted employers to rethink their benefit offerings. While pay raises have been limited due to unpredictable revenues, companies are offering customized financial wellness benefits to retain talent. Programs like debt counseling, emergency savings accounts, caregiving loans, and payroll advances have gained traction, especially for millennials and those nearing retirement. Around 50% of employers have integrated financial wellness programs alongside retirement plans, with larger employers taking the lead. Employers are also prioritizing short-term financial wellness, addressing healthcare costs and retirement preparedness. In addition, studies show that for every dollar spent on financial wellness benefits, employers save three dollars. This highlights the growing recognition that financial health is essential to overall employee well-being. With a workforce increasingly affected by chronic health conditions and financial stress, companies are proactively designing programs that cater to both long-term health and short-term financial stability. As a result, engagement in these programs is expected to rise, reflecting a changing attitude toward employee benefits. One-on-One Delivery System to Gain Momentum in the US Financial Wellness Benefits Market Personalized financial counseling is gaining popularity over digital tools, as advisers can tailor solutions to individual needs, particularly in diverse workforces. Employees increasingly seek one-on-one interactions to navigate their finances, driving growth in the offline market. These sessions, often part of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), encourage employees to increase retirement savings and reduce early withdrawals from 401(k) plans. However, managing these sessions in-house can be costly and resource-intensive for HR departments. The U.S. one-on-one financial wellness market is projected to reach to $614.77 million by 2029. The Southern U.S. Economy: Key Trends and the Rise of Financial Wellness Programs In 2023, the Southern region of the U.S. held 34.59% of the financial wellness benefits market, driven by major states like Texas, Florida, Virginia, and Georgia. Work, money, and the economy are significant stressors in the South, making financial wellness programs crucial for managing stress and lifestyle changes. Texas is a key contributor to the region's economic strength. As of November 2023, the state had an unemployment rate of 4.1%, higher than the national average. However, Texas experienced a robust GDP growth of 7.7% in the third quarter, outpacing the national average. Its GDP stood at $2.5 trillion, representing 9.1% of the U.S. total. Texas' diverse economy includes thriving sectors like real estate, manufacturing, and agriculture. Despite this, economic growth is expected to moderate in 2024 due to high inflation, interest rates, and a slowing housing market. The pandemic reshaped the workforce, offering workers more flexibility and opportunities for higher wages, remote jobs, and better work-life balance, presenting challenges for employers in talent acquisition and retention. Although some positive trends have slowed, Texas' energy sector continues to thrive. Economic growth is expected to pick up in the latter half of 2024 as inflation stabilizes and migration increases. Large Companies to Generate Largest Revenue Large companies have long recognized financial anxiety as a serious issue and are increasingly offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits to support their employees. Nearly 40% of employers now provide such programs, often including tools, personalized counseling, and regular check-ins on financial health. Companies with 10,000+ employees tend to offer five or more programs, and the offerings frequently include budgeting, debt management, and stress management training. Leading providers include AYCO, Mercer, Fidelity, and PwC. A growing trend is the integration of financial wellness with physical and mental health programs, recognizing the interdependence of health and wealth. Although employees often request personalized financial advice, large employers like Eastman Chemical are setting the trend by offering face-to-face, individual financial consultations. Despite the rise in offerings, participation remains low, with 35% of employees unaware of the benefits available to them. Privacy concerns and a lack of time or motivation contribute to low engagement. Nevertheless, large companies are generally more satisfied with their financial wellness programs compared to smaller firms, and digital tools are helping bridge the gap by providing accessible financial education anytime, anywhere. Competitive Overview The U.S. financial wellness benefits market is diverse, with over 300 players, including start-ups, employee benefits providers, banks, and non-profits. Start-ups drive innovation, while established institutions partner with smaller players to expand services. Financial wellness programs range from traditional financial products to community-based resources and technology-based services like payroll advances. Although still in its early stages, the market is growing with employer-sponsored programs that combine education, tools, and counseling. However, the quality of offerings varies, with some focusing on niche solutions and others offering generic content. Success depends on personalized, integrated, and engaging programs to enhance employee participation. Looking for More Information? Click: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/us-financial-wellness-benefits-market Key Company Profiles * Bank of America Merrill Lynch * Financial Finesse * Mercer * Prudential Financial * Virgin Pulse (Personify Health) * Aduro * Ayco * BaySport * Best Money Moves * BrightDime * BrightPlan * Brightside * Carelon Behavioral Health * DHS Group * Edukate * Enrich * Even (ONE@Work) * Financial Fitness Group * Financial Knowledge * FinFit * FlexWage * Candidly * GoPlan 101 * HealthCheck360 * Health Advocate * Integrated Wellness Partners * LearnLux * LifeCents * Limeade * Mariner Wealth Advisors * Money Starts Here * My Secure Advantage * Origin * Payactiv * Pro Financial Health * Purchasing Power * Questis * Ramsey Solutions * Salary Finance * Savology * Sqwire * SoFi * The Financial Gym * Transamerica * Your Money Line Program * Financial Planning * Financial Education & Counseling * Retirement Planning * Debt Management * Others End-User * Large Businesses * Medium-Sized Businesses * Small-Sized Businesses * Segmentation by Delivery * One-On-One * Online/Digital * Group Type * Consumer Tools * Employer Tools Industry * Healthcare * Financial Services * Education * Manufacturing * Public Sector * Others Region * South * West * Midwest * Northeast The Arizton Advisory & Intelligence market research report provides valuable market insights for industry stakeholders, investors, researchers, consultants, and business strategists aiming to gain a thorough understanding of the US financial wellness benefits market. Request for Free Sample to get a glance of the report now: [ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/us-financial-wellness-benefits-market ] What Key Findings Our Research Analysis Reveals? How big is the U.S. financial wellness benefits market? Which region dominates the U.S. financial wellness benefits market? What are the significant trends in the U.S. financial wellness benefits market? What is the growth rate of the U.S. financial wellness benefits market? Who are the key players in the U.S. financial wellness benefits market? 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Media Contact Company Name: Arizton Advisory & Intelligence Contact Person: Jessica Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=the-us-financial-wellness-benefits-market-report-2029-southern-us-to-take-the-lead-arizton ] Phone: +1 3122332770 Country: United States Website: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/us-financial-wellness-benefits-market This release was published on openPR.A wild first season of the expanded Big 12 is down to what should be a chaotic final weekend. Through all the upsets, unexpected rises and falls, there are nine teams still in the mix to play in the conference championship game. No. 14 Arizona State and No. 17 Iowa State have the best odds, yet a multitude of scenarios could play out — 256 to be exact. There's even the possibility of an eight-team tie. It may take a mathematician to figure out which teams are in the Dec. 7 game in Arlington, Texas — even for the ones who win. Travis Hunter, Colorado. The Buffaloes' two-way star has excelled on both sides of the field, making him one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State. The senior running back can do a little of everything, but excels at punishing would-be tacklers. He's one of the nation's leaders in yards after contact and the focal point of the Sun Devils' offense. Shadeur Sanders, Colorado. If it weren't for Hunter, Sanders might be the Heisman favorite. The son of coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur is fifth nationally with 3,488 yards passing and has been a big part of the Buffaloes' turnaround. DJ Giddens, Kansas State. The Wildcats' running back is one of the nation's most versatile players. He is ninth nationally with 1,271 rushing yards and has added 21 receptions for 258 yards. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona. The Wildcats have struggled this season, but McMillan has not. He is third nationally with 1,251 receiving yards with seven touchdowns on 78 catches. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech. The Red Raiders' junior linebacker leads the Big 12 with 68 tackles, averaging 10.2 per game. He also has four sacks. Brendan Mott, Kansas State. He's a menace to opposing quarterbacks, leading the Big 12 with 8 1/2 sacks. The Big 12 has nine teams already bowl eligible and two more a win away. The winner of the Big 12 championship game will be in the mix for a College Football Playoff spot. Arizona State, Iowa State, No. 19 BYU, Colorado, Kansas State, Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia have already clinched bowl berths. Kansas and Cincinnati can get into the postseason with wins this weekend. Gus Malzahn, UCF. Despite successes in recruiting, the Knights are 10-14 in two seasons since moving to the Big 12. Maybe not enough to get shown the door this year, but another mediocre season could lead UCF to make a change. Kyle Whittingham, Utah. Whittingham was one of the Pac-12's best coaches, leading the Utes to consecutive conference titles. Utah was expected to contend for the Big 12 title its first year in the league, but enters the final weekend 1-7 in conference play, which could push Whittingham toward retirement since it's doubtful he'd be fired. Neal Brown, West Virginia. The Mountaineers' coach was in a precarious spot at the end of last season and West Virginia hasn't lived up to expectations this season. The Mountaineers are eligible to go to a bowl game for the second straight season, but Brown could be on the hot seat even after signing a contract extension before the season. Josiah Trotter, West Virginia. The redshirt freshman is the latest Trotter to have success at the linebacker position, following the footsteps of his father, former Philadelphia Eagles player Jeremiah Trotter, and brother Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a current Eagles linebacker. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State. The Michigan State transfer has been just what the Sun Devils' needed: an agile quarterback who extends plays with his legs and rarely makes bad decisions. Bryson Washington, Baylor. The Bears' running back has rushed for 812 yards — 196 against TCU — and 10 TDs. TCU has the Big 12's highest rated 2025 recruiting class with six four-star players among 26 commitments, according to the 247 Sports composite. Receiver Terry Shelton of Carrollton, Texas, is the highest-rated recruit at 71st nationally. Baylor is next with five five-star players among its 20 commitments, including running back Michael Turner, rated 13th at his position out of North Richland Hills, Texas. Texas Tech is ranked seventh in the Big 12, but has four four-star recruits. Get local news delivered to your inbox!