ROBERT MORRIS 72, CANISIUS 64

platform X has plummeted in popularity with Brits. A deep dive into the nation’s by Ofcom revealed it reached 8% less people in May 2023 compared to May 2024. That was by far the biggest drop of any social media platform. The tech app has refused to release its own data but it is worth nearly 80% less than when the mogul bought it for £34 billion, according to reports. is getting more popular, reaching 263% more people in September compared to August this year. Gen Z women spend a whopping 100 days of the year scrolling the internet with the study revealing stark differences between the two sexes. Females aged 18-24 are on the web for an average of 6 hours 36 minutes each day, more than an hour longer than men the same age. The most popular apps for women are Pinterest, Snapchat, Instagram and while men prefer Quora, X, Reddit and LinkedIn. The report also revealed Brits are increasingly turned off by porn, with visits to x-rated sites falling by 11% in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023. Men still massively make up the majority of adult site users at 72%. Fellas are also more likely to use dating websites, with Hinge the only service where women outnumber males. Chat GPT is the most popular generative AI tool with almost a third of 8-15yr olds using it - but just 18% of people aged over 16 think it is reliable. Two thirds of women are worried about using bots compared to just over half of men. In terms of nasty experiences online, men are more likely fall prey to scams or fraud while women suffer more harassment and dodgy friend requests. Teen girls are more likely to see harmful content about eating disorders while boys see more dangerous stunts. An Ofcom spokesperson said: “From next month, tech firms will have to start acting to protect adults and children online - starting with tackling the most harmful, illegal content.” Kids and young adults are also racking up more time watching YouTube on the telly, rather than on phones or other gadgets, the report found. The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us! Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens...along with the latest breaking news of course. To join our community, all you have to do to join is , select 'Join Chat' and you're in! No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our .

2024 All-County Football: All-County OffenseBy Usman Daudu In this past week, stampedes happened in three locations in the country and people lost their lives. In Ibadan, over 30 children died during an event by the former Queen of the Ooni of Ife to host 5, 000 children. And last Saturday, 10 persons died at a food-sharing event at a church in Abuja while 22 people also died in a rush for food in Okija, Anambra State. It is sad that these Nigerians died while on a mission to get succour from palliatives. It feels sadder that these incidents might have been averted had perhaps proper planning and execution been put in place. And that is why the latest news from the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, is gladdening. According to reports, the governor opened bank accounts for two million poor residents of the state. Sani disclosed this last Thursday during the distribution of food items and palliatives for Christmas and New Year at the Umaru Yar’adua Conference Centre, Kaduna, which was spearheaded by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. “Through our financial inclusion programme, we have opened over two million bank accounts for poor, vulnerable, and underserved persons to enable them to benefit from state and Federal Government social intervention programmes,” the governor said. Ordinarily, this story should not even make the news given that it is perhaps the most logical route to follow given the technology available in the financial ecosystem. Sadly, it is a novelty. During the last administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as president, the federal government initiated the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) which had the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) as one of its programmes. Under the CCT, citizens classified as ‘the poorest of the poor’ were to get Ten Thousand Naira. With the existence of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) which mandates every account holder in Nigeria to be biometrically verified, one would have expected the federal government to utilise the banks for transacting payment. But no. Rather, government officials physically took large sums of cash to crowded venues to share to the beneficiaries. According to multiple reports, at those venues, beneficiaries were just asked to sign and handed over envelopes which sometimes contained less than Five Thousand Naira. Such fraud implied those concerned didn’t want a more efficient way to disburse the funds to the poor. For their selfish reasons. Hence, while the idea of the CCT was noble, its execution was very disappointing and left a sour taste in the mouth of even some supporters of the programme. I mean, in today’s age of electronic banking, who goes about physically distributing sums running into hundreds of millions? The mere logistical horror associated with such a venture should even be enough to deter those who go that route. Then, there is also the case of accountability. When the Buhari administration initiated Trader-Moni and Markket-Moni. Good schemes. But again, its implementation was flawed. Instead of deploying BVN to track recipients of the funds, the funds were channelled via cash, with some middlemen conniving and ripping the government as well as the beneficiaries. The other process of having the poor come to a venue and organisers carrying large sums of money to share, should, at best, remain in the 1970s. It cannot be argued that it is more efficient to disburse funds to poor people by sending them money via their bank accounts. For instance, at the push of a button, one can initiate credit transfer to multiple persons instantaneously. With this method too, transparency is achieved as the use of BVN details particulars of every recipient. With the strategy Sani has adopted in Kaduna, funds meant for the poor can be effectively monitored and verified. Anyway, while some commentators argue that the recent stampedes resulted because of poverty, perhaps the more important factor concerns the organisers’ obligations. What numbers were they expecting? What preparations were on ground to receive and accommodate the expected numbers? What was the anticipated flow of movement designed? Did they have enough space and manpower to cater for the expected numbers? Were there better ways of dispersing their charity other than gathering a crowd in a particular space? These are serious questions organisers are expected to satisfy themselves with before beginning to gather a crowd. Thankfully, after the sad incidents of last week, Nigerians have become wary of palliative-seeking crowds. Some states have even listed conditions for distribution of palliatives. Lagos State declared that organisers of palliative sharing events with more than 250 persons must get clearance with the state safety agencies. Also, on Sunday, the Edo State Police Command urged the state government and other organisations to collaborate with the police in the distribution of palliatives to avoid a stampede. “Following recent cases of stampedes leading to avoidable deaths in some parts of the country, the Edo State Police Command has proactively called on government officials, community leaders, religious bodies, and non-governmental organisations to collaborate with the state command for a comprehensive and organised way of going about the distribution of any palliatives,” said the command’s spokesman, Moses Yamu, in a statement. “The Commissioner of Police, Ozigi Umoru, therefore warns groups and organisers of similar events to ensure they involve the Police or other security agencies to avoid such occurrences in the state. The Command remains committed to always ensuring the safety of lives and property.” The poor would always be in our midst. And as conscientious individuals and government, we cannot shy away from charity. But this charity must be done in ways to eliminate disasters such as those that happened in those three places. The Kaduna example by which the state government has opened bank accounts for the poor is commendable. Through that, no fanfare would follow transmission of whatever tokens the government intends for the poor. It would be a silent alert that would bring the loud joy from those deserving of it. In fact, Christians are taught to be discrete when giving as the bible preaches in the book of Matthew: ‘But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.’ Other religions too do not encourage a show-off when it comes to charity. Since assuming office as governor, his administration has distributed palliatives, agricultural inputs, grants, and soft loans to farmers and small-scale enterprises. As a passionate activist, it is expected that Sani’s administration would further elevate the condition of the poor residents of Kaduna. By opening bank accounts for the poor, the Kaduna State government is set to bring efficiency to assisting the poor. It would also be good for other individuals, organisations and particularly governments to copy this Kaduna format of cash transfers to the poor. It’s the 21st century and with the basic technology which all the banks deploy daily, there is no charity too large that cannot be reduced to gifting credit ‘alerts.’ It would be shameful to continue toying with the lives of the poor just for a show of charity.

Kenyan startup VunaPay is an agri-fintech company that addresses the issue of delayed payments for smallholder farmers by providing instant payout solutions. Founded in 2023 by Gatwiri Njogu-Mokaya (CEO), Koya Matsuno (COO), and Ian Wambai (CTO), VunaPay partners with agricultural cooperatives to facilitate automated payment processing, record management, and transparent financial transactions. It also offers cooperative management tools, including inventory tracking and real-time farmer data management, ensuring efficiency and trust in the agricultural value chain. Matsuno said the startup had identified that smallholder farmers face significant cash flow challenges due to delayed payments from cooperatives. “This often forces them to sell produce to middlemen at reduced prices or rely on high-interest predatory loans. VunaPay’s instant payout system addresses this gap,” he said. “Competition includes informal middlemen and predatory lending apps, but VunaPay distinguishes itself by integrating technology with cooperatives to ensure fair and timely payments.” VunaPay is funded by VCs such as 54 Collective and Lifetime Ventures, and has also received some grant funding from Heifer International and MIT Solve. It has onboarded 30 cooperatives in three value chains, registered over 20,000 farmers on its platform, and been selected for various accelerator programmes – Antler, MIT Solve, and Safaricom Spark. “The company has onboarded over 20,000 farmers with 100,000 on waitlist across Kenya and is scaling rapidly. Farmers and cooperatives have shown strong interest due to the transparency and efficiency of the platform. Demand continues to grow, with thousands more expressing interest. VunaPay has also facilitated approximately KES70 million (US$550,000) in payment so far,” said Matsuno. VunaPay so far only operates in Kenya, focusing primarily on coffee, maize, and dairy cooperatives. It plans to expand into other agricultural value chains, such as tea, and aims to increase its geographical reach within Kenya and eventually to other countries in Africa.Niagara Falls woman sentenced to 6 months for running over 11-year-oldThe NFL won the head-to-head battle for viewers with the College Football Playoff. Front Office Sports, citing figures from Nielsen, reported Tuesday that the Kansas City Chiefs' 27-19 win over the Houston Texans on Saturday averaged 15.5 million viewers on NBC, more than double the average of 6.4 million people who watched Penn State defeat SMU 38-10 on TNT Sports in the same time frame. The Baltimore Ravens' 34-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers drew an average of 15.4 million for Fox Sports, while 8.6 million viewers tuned in to see Texas defeat Clemson 38-24in the College Football Playoff on TNT. The CFP games returned stronger ratings when they weren't matched up against an NFL game, however. Ohio State's 42-17 victory over Tennessee, played in primetime on Saturday night, averaged 14.3 million viewers on ESPN. The network also saw strong ratings for Notre Dame's 27-17 win over Indiana on Friday night with an average of 13.4 million. All four first-round CFP games were played at campus sites. They averaged 10.6 million viewers overall, per Front Office Sports, which noted that figure exceeded the ratings for all but four college football broadcasts this season. --Field Level Media

None

During their conversation, President-elect Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum discussed economic, security, and migration issues. Sheinbaum characterized the session as "excellent," highlighting the collaborative tone of the talks despite concerns over Trump's latest tariff threats, France24 reported. Hours before, Mexico's Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard had issued a warning that Trump's tariffs may hurt American companies and cost them hundreds of thousands of jobs. Migration and Security at the Forefront of Talks Sheinbaum highlighted the issue of migration, noting that Mexico was taking proactive measures to manage the flow of migrants. "We discussed Mexico's strategy regarding the phenomenon of migration," she stated. The Mexican president noted that because the migrant caravans were being controlled inside Mexico's borders, they were not overflowing the southern border of the United States. Security issues were also discussed by the two presidents. Sheinbaum emphasized the significance of enhancing collaboration in the fight against illicit substances, especially fentanyl, which has contributed to the opioid crisis in the United States. As a priority for both countries, she said, Mexico is running programs to stop people from using fentanyl. Trump's strong rhetoric on border security sparked this shared enthusiasm in combating cross-border drug trafficking. Trump’s Tariff Threats and Economic Fallout Trump's promise to apply a 10% tariff on Chinese goods and a 25% tax on imports from Canada and Mexico was the main source of controversy. Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the tariffs would be in effect until Mexico regulated drug trafficking and halted illegal immigration. “This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!” Trump wrote. Opposition to the proposed tariff was quick. Ebrard cautioned that American workers would suffer from such a shift. He referenced a study that estimated the loss of 400,000 American employment based on data from automakers in the United States. Ebrard pointed out that these duties would increase car costs by almost $3,000 because a significant percentage of U.S. automobiles, notably pickup trucks, are made in Mexico. U.S. and Mexico's Tensions Over Tariffs The possible tariffs, according to Ebrard, would be a "shot in the foot" for American consumers. He underlined that American households will bear the brunt of the effects, especially in sectors like the car industry that rely significantly on imports from Mexico. China, which has also criticized Trump's trade strategy, shared Mexico's worries. Similar to the difficult relationship between the two countries during Trump's first term, the Chinese leadership has warned that no party would win a trade war. China responded with retaliatory tariffs at that time after Trump placed duties on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of Chinese imports. American farmers, one of Trump's most important supporters, were disproportionately harmed by these trade restrictions. The USMCA and Trade Relations Under Threat The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which took the role of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), serves as the backdrop for this economic conflict. After asserting that the previous pact was hurting American companies, especially automakers, Trump renegotiated the accord. But the persistent threat of tariffs has sparked worries that the new trade agreement would encounter major obstacles. The future of trade ties is still unclear, despite the friendly discussions between Sheinbaum and Trump. Trump's tough approach on tariffs runs the danger of upending years of collaboration and discussion, which may cause long-term economic problems for both the United States and Mexico. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from World and around the world.The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings could pull off a shocking trade this season. The Lakers look like contenders so far this year, and the Kings do not, something that many people would have predicted the reverse of if you asked them back in August. JJ Redick has the Lakers offense humming, and the Kings still haven't broken through, even with the key offseason addition of veteran wing DeMar DeRozan . DeRozan is producing for Sacramento. He's averaging 22.9 points per game and looks like everything the Kings need him to be. Still, Sacramento is just 8-7 in a crowded Western Conference. The season is young, but it's not difficult to imagine the Kings struggling to avoid the Play-In down the line. If at some point this season the Kings decide that they're still not true contenders, they might want to punt on the DeRozan experiment and get any or all of the following assets in return for DeRozan in a trade: young talent, draft capital, and cap space. The Lakers could provide the Kings with all three of those things by sending Sacramento a package of D'Angelo Russell's expiring contract, a draft pick, and 21-year-old shooting guard Max Christie in exchange for DeRozan. The Kings would try to talk the Lakers into making the draft pick a first-rounder, but Los Angeles would try to get the deal done with a second-rounder, a key detail that would swing the pendulum of who wins the trade on paper. Sacramento might not want to give up on the DeRozan era before it has seen a full season. Still, they might be tempted by the cap space this trade would provide this summer, especially since they've signed up to pay DeRozan over $25 million in 2026-27 when DeRozan will be 37. Christie is a legitimate rotation player already, and the Lakers would be hesitant to even initiate this trade due to his considerable talent and youth. Acquiring DeRozan would fit nicely with L.A.'s LeBron-based timeline, though. The King has but one or two seasons left in him, which is about on par for DeRozan. It would be a win-now trade for the Lakers, and for the Kings, an admission that they can't win now but may be able to in a few years when De'Aaron Fox enters his prime and Domantas Sabonis is still in the middle of his -- a time when DeRozan and LeBron will be on the verge of retirement or already there. More NBA: Lakers might trade for $78 million former Pac-12 Player of the Year

SMU has plenty to play for when it closes the regular season against California on Saturday afternoon in Dallas. The Mustangs (10-1, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who checked in at No. 9 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday, would like to send their seniors off the right way. They would also like to complete a perfect regular season before appearing in the ACC title game in their first year in the conference. Most importantly, they want to continue to strengthen their playoff case. "You've got the College Football Playoff, so every game matters. That's what's so cool about it now. The regular season is important," SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. "We'd like to finish well in everything we do, particularly on Saturday, to finish off the regular season, continue our momentum into the following week. Hopefully, continue to show the committee and others that we're worthy of continuing to play this year." The Mustangs are a worthy playoff team to date. Kevin Jennings has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, throwing for 2,521 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 315 yards and four TDs. Brashard Smith has been another standout, rushing for 1,089 yards and 13 TDs. Defensively, the Mustangs rank tied for 14th in the country with 20 takeaways. "Obviously they've had a phenomenal season," Cal coach Justin Wilcox said of SMU. "As soon as you turn the tape on, it doesn't take very long to see why their record is what it is. They're very, very good really in every phase of the game - extremely explosive and quick and fast. They've got a dominant D-line. We've got a lot of challenges in front of us and our guys are excited for that." Cal (6-5, 2-5) is coming off an emotional win, defeating rival Stanford 24-21 on Saturday to secure a bowl berth. The Golden Bears will appear in consecutive bowls for the first time since 2018-19 and are now looking to clinch their first winning season since 2019. SMU is not overlooking Cal, as all five of the Golden Bears' losses have come by one score. "You'd be hard-pressed to find a better 6-5 team in America," Lashlee said. "I think you can conservatively say they very, very easily could be 9-2." Cal is led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has thrown for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Tight end Jack Endries leads the team with 555 yards receiving, while wide receiver Nyziah Hunter has caught a team-leading five touchdowns. Defensively, Cal has the ACC's top scoring defense (20.7 points per game) and is tied with Clemson for the ACC's best turnover margin (plus-13). Defensive back Nohl Williams is the star of the group -- he leads the country with seven interceptions. Even though oddsmakers are heavily favoring SMU, Cal is going into the game with a simple mindset. "Our task at hand is to make the best bowl game right now," Mendoza said. "And the way to do that is to go into Dallas, give it our best and ruin SMU's season." Saturday will mark the first conference meeting between these ACC newcomers, and just the second meeting between the programs all time. SMU won a 13-6 game back in 1957. --Field Level MediaShaky Lebanon ceasefire rests on Netanyahu's restraint and Hezbollah's firepowerBanque Cantonale Vaudoise lowered its stake in Fifth Third Bancorp ( NASDAQ:FITB – Free Report ) by 87.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,429 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 9,843 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise’s holdings in Fifth Third Bancorp were worth $61,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of FITB. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Fifth Third Bancorp by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 9,757,854 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $356,031,000 after purchasing an additional 281,494 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in shares of Fifth Third Bancorp by 4.8% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 8,679,671 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $371,837,000 after buying an additional 399,827 shares during the period. Smead Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Fifth Third Bancorp by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Smead Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,224,047 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $95,278,000 after buying an additional 75,024 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. boosted its position in Fifth Third Bancorp by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 1,731,656 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $74,184,000 after buying an additional 19,572 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Fifth Third Bancorp by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,701,734 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $62,096,000 after acquiring an additional 56,298 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.79% of the company’s stock. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Kristine R. Garrett sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.67, for a total transaction of $327,525.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 55,913 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,441,720.71. This represents a 11.83 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . Also, EVP Jude Schramm sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.00, for a total transaction of $840,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 114,422 shares in the company, valued at $4,805,724. This trade represents a 14.88 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock. Fifth Third Bancorp Stock Up 1.7 % Fifth Third Bancorp ( NASDAQ:FITB – Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.83 by ($0.05). Fifth Third Bancorp had a net margin of 16.58% and a return on equity of 14.58%. The company had revenue of $2.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.16 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.92 EPS. Fifth Third Bancorp’s revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Fifth Third Bancorp will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Fifth Third Bancorp Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th were paid a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 30th. This is a positive change from Fifth Third Bancorp’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.09%. Fifth Third Bancorp’s payout ratio is currently 49.17%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently commented on FITB shares. Baird R W downgraded shares of Fifth Third Bancorp from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Citigroup upped their price target on Fifth Third Bancorp from $43.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Fifth Third Bancorp from $47.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, September 30th. StockNews.com downgraded Fifth Third Bancorp from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Fifth Third Bancorp from $52.00 to $54.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Fifth Third Bancorp presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $43.62. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on FITB About Fifth Third Bancorp ( Free Report ) Fifth Third Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for Fifth Third Bank, National Association that engages in the provision of a range of financial products and services in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, Consumer and Small Business Banking, and Wealth and Asset Management. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FITB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Fifth Third Bancorp ( NASDAQ:FITB – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Fifth Third Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fifth Third Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Nate Diaz teases boxing return in chilling post just days after Jake Paul vs. Mike TysonLeague of Legends Cheat Developers at StealthCore Shut Down After Repeated Anti-Cheat Failures

USPL 2024 Live Streaming in India: Watch Team California Golden Eagles vs NJ Titans Online and Live Telecast of United States Premier League Cricket MatchCOLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Tafara Gapare scored 19 points, freshman Derik Queen had 15 points and eight rebounds and Maryland beat Bucknell 91-67 on Wednesday night. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Tafara Gapare scored 19 points, freshman Derik Queen had 15 points and eight rebounds and Maryland beat Bucknell 91-67 on Wednesday night. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Tafara Gapare scored 19 points, freshman Derik Queen had 15 points and eight rebounds and Maryland beat Bucknell 91-67 on Wednesday night. Maryland opened the game on a 15-2 run, extended it to 25-7 with 10:38 left and led 51-28 at the break. The Terrapins led by at least 16 points the entire second half, which included runs of 12-0 and 9-0. Gapare scored the 10 straight points during the second-half run. Gapare threw down a highlight dunk while being fouled with 2:08 remaining to give Maryland an 89-62 lead. He was called for a technical foul after stepping over Patrick O’Brien, who was attempting to take a charge. Jayden Williams made the two free throws for Bucknell and Gapare missed his free-throw attempt that would have tied his career high of 20 points. Maryland (6-1) has won 20 consecutive home games against unranked nonconference foes with its last loss coming on Dec. 1, 2021, against Virginia Tech in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Julian Reese added 14 points and Selton Miguel scored 13 for Maryland. Gapare, a Georgia Tech transfer, reached double-figure scoring as a Terp for the first time. The Terrapins shot 50% from the field with three 3-pointers apiece by Gapare and Miguel. Ruot Bijiek led Bucknell (4-4) with 20 points and Josh Bascoe added 10. The Bison turned it over 20 times leading to 22 Maryland points. Maryland stays at home to play Alcorn State on Sunday. Bucknell returns home to play Siena on Saturday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball Advertisement

PUSC vive choque entre tendencias de Juan Carlos Hidalgo y Leslye Bojorges

Titanfall 2, released in 2016, is widely regarded as one of the best first-person shooters of all time. Its fast-paced, fluid gameplay seamlessly blends pilot and Titan combat, creating a thrilling and unique experience. The game’s single-player campaign is particularly celebrated for its innovative level design, compelling story, and memorable characters like BT-7274. Now, with the Ultimate Edition being offered free, players can experience the complete Titanfall 2 package, including a wealth of bonus content. A Holiday Miracle for Gamers This unexpected giveaway has sent ripples of excitement through the gaming community . Many see it as a fantastic opportunity for those who missed out on Titanfall 2 during its initial release to experience a truly exceptional game. The timing couldn’t be better; with the holiday season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to jump into the action-packed world of Titanfall 2. Personally, I’ve always loved Titanfall 2. The campaign’s unique blend of action and emotion resonated with me deeply. The bond between Jack Cooper and BT is something special, and the level “Effect and Cause” still blows my mind with its time-bending mechanics. I’m thrilled that more people will get to experience this incredible game. What’s Included in the Ultimate Edition? The Ultimate Edition is the definitive way to experience Titanfall 2. Here’s what it includes: How to Claim Your Free Copy Claiming your free copy of Titanfall 2: Ultimate Edition is simple: Important Note: Some users have reported seeing a price of $2.99 when accessing the store page on mobile or PC. To ensure you get it for free, access the store page directly from your Xbox console. Don’t Miss Out! This incredible offer is only available for a limited time, ending on December 24th. Don’t miss this chance to grab one of the best shooters ever made, packed with extra content, absolutely free! Why is EA doing this? While EA hasn’t officially stated the reason for this giveaway, it’s likely a strategic move to attract new players to Titanfall 2 and the Game Pass ecosystem. With the recent release of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor , EA might be aiming to rekindle interest in their other franchises. Whatever the reason, it’s a win for gamers! A Second Chance for Titanfall 2? Despite its critical acclaim, Titanfall 2 didn’t achieve the commercial success it deserved. Sandwiched between the releases of Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, it faced stiff competition in the shooter market. This giveaway could be a catalyst for a Titanfall 2 resurgence, introducing a new wave of players to its adrenaline-pumping action. Personally, I’m hoping this leads to renewed interest in the Titanfall franchise. While Respawn Entertainment is currently focused on Apex Legends, the potential for a Titanfall 3 is still a tantalizing prospect for many fans. Experience the Thrill of Pilot and Titan Combat Titanfall 2 offers a unique blend of fast-paced action, satisfying gunplay, and exhilarating Titan combat. Here’s what you can expect: Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the Frontier, Titanfall 2: Ultimate Edition offers an unforgettable gaming experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to grab it for free!

It wasn’t the first time I had traveled this road, the road that winds through Pulwama to Shopian—nor the first time I had been jolted out of the lulling rhythm of the journey by the haunting sight of charred houses standing starkly amidst the blazing red of the Chinar trees. This time, however, what caught my attention were the clusters of vehicles—public and private—gathered outside a newly constructed building. A modest, single-story structure, it bore a sign that read Prasad Joo Khan Heart Center . The scene was lively, with people of all ages moving in and out. Some stood by a small tea stall outside, sipping their tea. An ambulance sped up the road and parked at the entrance, adding to the sense of urgency and life that pulsed through the place. It was a stark contrast to the somber image that the village of Haal had carried for decades. Haal, located at the brink of Pulwama and Shopian, had long been a living testament to loss and grief, a village marked by the absence of those who once called it home. In the early 1990s, when the conflict in Kashmir took a violent turn, around 80 Pandit families who lived here began to leave. Over the years, almost all homes were abandoned, and scores were burnt down, leaving behind empty shells and memories of lives that once thrived. The newly opened Heart Center, brimming with activity and hope, seemed to reclaim a space long defined by sorrow. Prasad Joo Khan Heart Center Established by the Gauri Kaul Foundation, the Prasad Joo Khan Heart Center Haal is the first and only cardiac facility situated outside the capital city of Kashmir. This center provides essential cardiac care and diagnostic services to neighboring districts, where such facilities are otherwise scarce. It is a fully equipped diagnostic and treatment center addressing not only heart conditions but also other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The Center’s facilities include ECG, echocardiography, ultrasound, treadmill testing, long-term ECG monitoring, and head-up tilt testing. Critical blood biochemistry tests are available, including rapid point-of-care diagnostics that provide results in just 10 minutes, aiding in the detection of heart failure, heart attacks, and blood clotting disorders. Additionally, the Center has a well-stocked pharmacy managed by a certified pharmacist, ensuring that patients have immediate access to necessary medications. Patients can complete their assessments, receive diagnostic results, and start treatment all in a single visit. If advanced care is required, patients are transported by ambulance to larger hospitals. The Center was established between 2020 and 2021, with funding from the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). It was formally inaugurated in September 2022 by Dr. Alka Mittal, then CEO of ONGC. The facility is located on land that has personal significance; it is an ancestral property of Prof Upendra Kaul, a renowned cardiologist who spent his early years in Haal village. Prof Kaul’s career has been distinguished: he served as a Prof of cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), along with several other esteemed institutions including the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, G. B. Pant Hospital, Batra Hospital, and Fortis Health Care. He also held prominent roles as Executive Director and Dean at Fortis Health Care in New Delhi. A former president of the Cardiological Society of India and the SAARC Cardiac Society, Prof Kaul is a Fellow of both the American College of Cardiology and the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS). With over 450 published medical papers, he was honored with the Medtronic Award for Best Scientific Paper in 1983. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Dr. B. C. Roy Award in 1999 and the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honor, in 2006. Prof Kaul considers the Heart Center as his way of giving back to the community. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to return here,” he reflects. “I’m present every Thursday, and with God’s grace, we have treated many severe cases of heart failure—patients who were misdiagnosed as having pneumonia or post-pregnancy breathing issues. Thanks to the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment, these patients recovered dramatically. We have point-of-care tests available, which allow us to make quick and accurate diagnoses. This not only reduces the need for multiple visits but also minimizes the travel burden for patients. We use heart failure markers, HbA1C for diabetes management, and a variety of other diagnostic tools to ensure comprehensive care.” Although the Center’s services are not free, there are provisions to assist those who cannot afford the costs. “The goal isn’t to deny care based on financial constraints, but to offer specialized services that are otherwise unavailable in rural Kashmir,” Prof Kaul explains. “Without this center, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other NCDs would often be diagnosed too late or treated improperly. Our patient base comes from all over—Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, Rajouri, and even Poonch. One thing I’ve noticed is that patients in this area tend to be very diligent about following treatment plans.” He envisions transforming the Heart Center into a full-fledged heart hospital, capable of performing procedures like angioplasty, but acknowledges that current financial limitations are a barrier. “If funding materializes, it’s certainly within reach,” he says. “At present, we have a dedicated team, including a cardiologist, a general physician, and a nephrologist, and many other doctors.” Heart on Wheels An additional grant of ₹ 80 lakh from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is set to fund a mobile “Cardiac Clinic on Wheels” by the end of the year or early next year. This mobile unit will be equipped with diagnostic facilities such as ECG, a portable echocardiography machine, and on-site blood sampling equipment, enabling tests that yield results within a few hours. This mobile service will visit villages across South Kashmir, following a pre-announced schedule. The first installment of ₹ 20 lakh has already been received, and the clinic is expected to be operational early next year. Patients requiring advanced care will be transferred to the Heart Center, and if necessary, to larger hospitals like SKIMS Soura or SMHS Hospital. All in a Day As Prof Kaul shares these plans, the waiting area of the Center continues to fill with patients. Some are visiting for the first time, others are regular attendees, for follow-ups. He returns to his desk, beginning with an elderly man in his late 60s who anxiously hands over medical documents. “Is my heart alright?” the man asks urgently. Prof Kaul checks his blood pressure, carefully jots down from his investigations, asks a few questions about his medication. The man answers impatiently, and repeats his question: Is my heart alright? Prof Kaul looks at him and answers: It is alright for now, the stent has set the things right. But if you don’t stop smoking, it is not going to be alright. The man’s stern look gives way to a shy smile. “I have stopped,” he answers unconvincingly. The next patient is a woman in 50s, accompanied by two female family members. She has had heart failure, but has dramatically improved ‘in just one week’ as she puts it. She has adhered to medication and wants to know if she can go about her daily routine of household chores. “Not yet. Let others take care of the house and of you for sometime. We need to perform a procedure on you,” Prof Kaul says, while explaining to her family members where and how to approach the Cardiology department at SKIMS, Soura. “We don’t have everything possible in this center. They will take care,” he says while jotting down names of a few doctors on the prescription. The group of women leave the room heavy hearted, when a young female walks in with her father. She shows her ECG reports and a few blood tests. She has been to a few nearby Government hospitals in the recent past. “I have pain in chest and it recurs very frequently,” she complains. After examination, Prof Kaul tells her to get a few more blood tests done. The girl is preparing for a competitive exam. Prof Kaul tells her to relax and take less stress. “Let us rule out there is nothing else, but it seems your pain and fast heart rate is due to stress,” he tells her, and reassures her father. The beeline of patients continues. “I will be here the whole day, these people wait for me the entire week,” he says. In the waiting hall, patients exchange stories about other healthcare facilities they’ve visited, often discussing common issues like uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension. Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases Kashmir and Ladakh face a significant public health challenge: nearly one-third of adults in these regions have hypertension. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 30 percent of adults in these areas are hypertensive. Prof Kaul’s camps in south Kashmir, extending up to Banihal, have revealed that hypertension, often due to non-compliance with treatment, sedentary lifestyles, and inadequate follow-ups, is a widespread issue. “There’s a knowledge gap concerning proper treatment and lifestyle modifications,” he points out. The Gauri Kaul Foundation has worked with local physicians, advocating for combination drugs to enhance compliance, reducing the chance of missed doses. In a study published in the Indian Heart Journal titled Uncontrolled Hypertension in Rural Kashmir, Prof Kaul and his team reported that 63 percent of known hypertensive patients in rural Kashmir had uncontrolled blood pressure. The study highlighted a particularly high prevalence among individuals aged 40 to 60 : 49 percent, followed by those over 60: 40 percent. Prof Kaul emphasizes that “hypertension is a global problem, but accurate diagnosis and consistent, correct treatment are critical.” To address this, the GKF’s SUPPORT program has empowered communities to take charge of their health. In collaboration with St. John’s Medical College Bangalore, they’ve initiated educational programs on blood pressure monitoring and when to seek medical help. Expanding Services and Honoring Roots Beyond J&K, the Gauri Kaul Foundation has expanded its outreach by organizing health camps in Manipur and Maharashtra, and it has run cervical cancer screening programs in Kashmir. One of the most impactful projects is the Telemedicine and Critical Care Ambulance initiative, funded by the CSR of IOCL. This program brings specialized healthcare to remote and difficult-to-access areas, such as Kupwara’s Machil sector near the Line of Control. In partnership with the Rashtriya Rifles, the Foundation operates a tele-unit that can perform ECGs, conduct crucial blood tests, and connect patients to distant physicians for immediate guidance. Essential medicines are also stocked in the unit. A similar telemedicine unit has been set up at Jagati migrant township near Katra, Jammu, serving displaced Pandit communities who left the Valley in the 1990s. In addition to these efforts, the Foundation has collaborated with local healthcare workers to organize cervical cancer screening initiatives. These camps, held periodically, have raised awareness about preventive health measures and provided vital screenings for women in rural areas. In regions like Manipur and Maharashtra, the Foundation’s outreach has focused on broader health concerns, including NCDs, maternal health, and basic preventive care. Prof Kaul believes in the importance of giving back to one’s roots. “I returned because this is where I grew up—my family’s home was in Haal village,” he says. “Our home is just memories and an abandoned house in Haal, but my connection to this place is strong. People in these rural regions need specialized care. We can save more lives if we expand access to advanced cardiac care. It’s essential for more healthcare professionals to support this mission. Doctors from rural areas have a unique responsibility to their communities.” WHAT’S IN THE NAME: PRASAD JOO KHAN The grandfather of Prof Upendra Kaul, Prasad Joo, worked with the Afghans and was given the title of Khan. The revenue records have their family name as Joo Khan. When Prof Kaul’s father pursued higher studies outside Kashmir, he found people amused by his name – Prem Nath Khan. Prem Nath, out of urge to avoid attention, changed his surname to Kaul, the common surname of Kashmiri pandits. “Thus, I became a Kaul, while my grandfather was Joo-Khan,” Prof Kaul shares with a smile.AUDI has unveiled its new logo with major changes a mere few days after Jaguar was slammed over the "woke" EV rebrand. The car brand has divided drivers through its launch of a new sub-brand which gets rid of the iconic four rings logo. The German premium vehicle manufacturer has announced a new partnership with SAIC - a Chinese motoring giant. This collaboration is to sell a separate range of Audi models within the market. The sub-brands first reveal shows the model featuring a brand new logo - not with four rings. China has the largest new car market worldwide with around 26 million models sold in 2023 - and Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi, has shared his excitement for the sub-brand. read more in motors He said: "The automotive industry is undergoing the largest transformation in its history. "With our partnerships in China, we are playing a decisive role in this transformation." Audi are very familiar with the car market in China, having sold its cars there since 1988 after beginning a contract with First Automobile Works (FAW). Here they became the first company to import luxury cars to the brand. Most read in Motors Now the new Audi sub-brand looks to sell unique models with its design to younger motorists. The company pointed out the additional driver-assistance technology in comparison to models in Europe as China is currently enforcing fewer restrictions on autonomous vehicles. But the new models are missing the iconic four ring logo that first popped up in 1932 and instead have 'Audi' written across the front. The rings were originally used by Auto Union and were to represent the four German car brands Audi, Chemnitz, DKW and Horch who were all in an alliance at the time. Users took to Reddit to express their thoughts on the new Audi look in China. One user said: "Honestly? This is hilarious. It's one of those things that make you believe the simulation is real and the creator is going for maximum silliness. "Next week: Mercedes launches 'MERCEDES'." Another commented: "China is a different market. There's an Audi A7 L there. I guess Audi China knows what it is doing. "In my opinion, it looks exactly like one of those new Chinese electric car brands without personality in their designs." Meanwhile a 'new' classic Jaguar has been unveiled with a roaring petrol engine - just days after the British firm's controversial re-brand ahead of its electric revolution. A monstrous version of Jag's iconic XJS model has been revealed for the first time, although the marque won't be the ones making it. Indeed, Berkshire-based car maker Tom Walkinshaw Racing, known as TWR, is the brains behind this very cool looking XJS Supercat. The limited-edition beast is a modernised take on the classic sports car, which Jaguar originally produced between 1975 and 1996. Widely considered one of the most famous Jags, some 115,413 XJS models rolled off production lines in that time - and today it's considered a mainstay at classic car shows. "Available to commission" now, the timing of the arrival of TWR's XJS Supercat couldn't have come at a more curious period in Jaguar's 102-year history, as the manufacturer is in the midst of one of motoring history’s most outrageous rebrands. This month, they began the first phase of their transition by putting a stop to all of their current models being sold in dealerships , with only the F-Pace to be carried over into 2025. READ MORE SUN STORIES This is because the firm is fully committed to going all-electric by next year, with a handful of brand new models to be released - including a four-door GT that's to be fully unveiled in concept form next week. They then sent ripples through the motoring world when they released a new logo along with a bizarre teaser video that received backlash on social media . By Jacob Jaffa , Motors Reporter What is being investigated? The FCA announced in January that it would investigate allegations of "widespread misconduct" related to discretionary commission agreements (DCAs) on car loans . When you buy a car on finance, you are effectively loaned the value of the car while you pay it off. These loans have interest payments charged on top of them and are often organised on behalf of lenders by brokers - usually the finance arm of a dealership . These brokers earn money in the form of commission - a percentage of the interest payments on the loan. DCAs allowed brokers to, to a certain extent, increase the interest rate on a loan, which in turn increased the amount of commission they received. The practice was banned by the FCA in 2021. Who is eligible for compensation? The FCA estimates that around 40% of car deals may have been affected before 2021. There are two criteria you must meet to have a chance at receiving compensation. First, you must be complaining in relation to a finance deal on a motor vehicle (including cars, vans, motorbikes and motorhomes ) that was agreed before January 28 2021. Second, you must have bought the vehicle through a mechanism like Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase (HP), which make up the majority of finance deals and mean you own the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Drivers who leased a car through something like a Personal Contract Hire, where you give the car back at the end of the lease, are not eligible.

Taiwan’s former president Tsai Ing-wen had been due to visit the UK between 16 and 18 October before the Foreign Office intervened, the Guardian can disclose. Tsai was scheduled to visit London for two days as part of her first international tour since leaving office and was in discussions about addressing the UK parliament, according to a leaked letter. But the trip, which had been due to coincide with David Lammy’s visit to China , was pulled and Tsai was hosted by the French parliament on those dates instead. The leaked letter, sent to the Commons and Lords speakers in August, said Tsai “will visit London between 16th and 18th October” and that the UK Taiwanese office wanted to explore the possibility of her being hosted by parliament. The letter said Tsai would “greatly value” an invitation to address parliamentarians and attend a reception in the Commons speaker’s house. It said: “A significant number of MPs and peers would wish to hear her views on the years ahead in Taiwan.” A source involved in the discussions said the trip was pulled after the Foreign Office indicated to Taiwanese officials that it was not a good time for it. The source told the Guardian last month : “We got a note from the FCDO via the Taiwanese representative to the UK. It said: ‘Please can you defer this for a while because the foreign secretary is about to make a ‘goodwill visit’ to China and this would absolutely put the kibosh on it.’” This message will not have been have relayed by ministers because the UK does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Taiwan’s representative in London can only meet civil servants. An FCDO spokesperson said: “We do not recognise this characterisation of events. Parliamentarians are independent of government and are free to invite whoever they wish.” When asked about the postponed visit by the Guardian at an event in parliament last week, the director of Taiwan’s political division in London said he was not authorised to discuss it. Tsai’s office did not respond to a request for comment. China often does not differentiate between government and parliamentary meetings. Beijing has reacted angrily to Tsai’s meetings with political figures in Brussels, Paris and Prague. The French parliamentarians who hosted Tsai said China had tried to dissuade them from doing so. China’s foreign ministry described Tsai as a “Taiwan independence” figure last month and warned European countries that assisting her could “harm bilateral relations with China”. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually come under Beijing’s control, and there are fears it will eventually try to annex the island by force. Taiwan, which has never been ruled by the People’s Republic of China, sees itself as distinct and has its own constitution and democratically elected leaders. The Taiwanese population has grown increasingly opposed to China’s claims of sovereignty over it. The prospect of Tsai visiting the UK parliament next spring has been floated but the government will want this not to clash with Rachel Reeves’ planned visit to China early next year. Meanwhile, ministers are grappling with a controversial application to build a huge new Chinese embassy near Tower Bridge in east London, which has become a top issue in bilateral relations between London and Beijing. After it was rejected by Tower Hamlets council in 2022 following local opposition, the planning application was resubmitted this summer and has been called in by central government. In a letter published on the council’s website this weekend, Jon Savell, a deputy assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan police, raised concerns about the proposal and warned it would have a “significant” impact on local policing and resource in the area. The Guardian reported last month that China has refused to allow the UK to rebuild its embassy in Beijing while the status of its own embassy proposal in London is pending. Keir Starmer raised the issue with Xi Jinping in the first bilateral meeting between a UK prime minister and the Chinese president in more than six years. “You raised the Chinese embassy building in London when we spoke on the telephone and we have since taken action by calling in that application. Now we have to follow the legal process and timeline,” Starmer told Xi in recorded remarks on the margins of the G20 summit in Brazil.

BIG 12 THIS WEEK

MGX DEADLINE MONDAY: ROSEN, A TOP RANKED LAW FIRM, Encourages Metagenomi, Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important November 25 Deadline in Securities Class Action – MGXArthur Gourounlian and Brian Dowling enjoy ‘incredible’ night at Strictly Come Dancing during London getawayGLASGOW, Scotland -- Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers raised his hands to his head in despair before his own goal crossed the line to give Club Brugge the lead in a Champions League match that ended in a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. The United States international played a no-look pass back from 10 yards (meters) toward his own net where he thought goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel would be. Schmeichel was not there, and the ball rolled slowly into the corner of the goal as the veteran Denmark goalkeeper raced helplessly across his line. He narrowly avoiding crashing into the goal post. The unforced error by Carter-Vickers gifted Club Brugge a 26th-minute lead at Celtic Park. Celtic has impressed in the Champions League this season and earned another point on Japan international Daizen Maeda's goal in the 60th. The Scottish champion is 20th in the 36-team standings with eight points, which UEFA projected before the season as likely enough to advance to the knockout stage. Celtic is away to Dinamo Zagreb on Dec. 10, with games in January against last-place Young Boys and Aston Villa. The top eight teams in January go directly to the round of 16 in March, and teams placed from ninth to 24th enter a playoffs round in February. Those two-leg playoffs will decide the other eight round of 16 teams. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer