nsjb The Seattle Seahawks have only one path to the playoffs: winning the NFC West. Seattle finds itself heading into a must-win game against the host Bears on Thursday night, and even if the Seahawks can top Chicago and beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18, they still might miss out on the postseason because of the strength-of-victory tiebreaker. If Seattle (8-7) was to get past Los Angeles for a 10-7 finish, the teams would split their season series 1-1, have matching 4-4 records against common opponents and would hold the same in-conference record, leaving strength of victory to determine the fate of the Seahawks and Rams. And that fifth tiebreaker belongs to Los Angeles. "We just got to handle our part, which is win out," Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV said. "Then, let the chips fall where they fall. Hopefully, we catch a little luck and we can get in there." Seattle dropped out of wild-card contention after a 27-24 loss to the Vikings on Sunday. Minnesota was down 24-20 with less than 4 1/2 minutes to go, but Sam Darnold threw a go-ahead 39-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson with 3:51 remaining. Jason Myers came up short on a 60-yard field-goal attempt with 1:55 left, preventing the Seahawks from drawing even. "We got to win two, but it starts with one," said Seattle quarterback Geno Smith, who had 314 passing yards, three touchdowns and two picks against Minnesota. "We got a tough Chicago team on the road. I know their record isn't the greatest, but if you watch film on those guys, they got a tough team ask with a lot of the talent. "We got to be ready coming off a short week, traveling on Christmas. Guys got to get their minds right and get ready to go." The Seahawks will need to rely on Zach Charbonnet in the backfield after placing fellow running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) on injured reserve ahead of Thursday's game. In a corresponding move, the team signed rookie running back George Holani from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster. Walker returned from a two-game absence due to an ailing calf on Sunday before injuring his ankle versus the Vikings. He leads the Seahawks in carries (153) and rushing yards (573) to go along with seven rushing touchdowns. Charbonnet, in turn, has a team-best eight rushing touchdowns to go along with 106 carries for 453 yards. The Seahawks also ruled out tight end Brady Russell (foot) and safety K'Von Wallace (ankle). The Bears (4-11) have dropped nine consecutive games, most recently losing 34-17 to the Detroit Lions. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams continued to shine, passing for 334 yards and two TDs. "Every snap is valuable," Williams said. "There are so many different situations that happen throughout games that you can learn from and that I've learned from this year." Williams has been building a strong rapport with wide receiver Rome Odunze, a fellow first-round pick in this year's draft. The two hooked up four times for 77 yards against Detroit. "From the moment you step on the field with a great player like him, you feel that confidence and I think that you feed off of that from one another and I think that we do that well," Odunze said of his relationship with Williams. "But you've got to go out there and prove it on the field and we have to continue to do that." The Bears will be without defensive backs Elijah Hicks (ankle/foot) and Tarvarius Moore (knee), running back Travis Homer (hamstring) and offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (calf) for Thursday's game. --Field Level Media

Police and firefighters in Chambersburg reported the explosion of a food truck or trailer that launched debris across a borough neighborhood early Sunday morning. According to a report from the Chambersburg Police Department, officers responded around 2 a.m. for calls regarding the explosion of a food truck parked at the intersection of Ramsey and Wilson avenues. Photos posted to social media by the Chambersburg chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) show debris thrown a considerable distance, with shards of the vehicle stuck in the top branches of a nearby tree. Fire crews "arrived on the scene to find a food trailer exploded with a large debris field, small fire present and an active propane leak," the IAFF wrote. The leak was safely shut off and the fire extinguished; some surrounding homes were damaged, but no people were injured, police reported. A state fire marshal was requested to investigate.WASHINGTON (AP) — El presidente Joe Biden dijo el domingo que el repentino colapso del gobierno de Bashar Assad en Siria es un “acto fundamental de justicia” después de décadas de represión, pero también “un momento de riesgo e incertidumbre” para Medio Oriente. Biden habló en la Casa Blanca horas después de que grupos rebeldes completaran la toma del país tras más de una docena de años de guerra civil y décadas de liderazgo por parte de Assad y su familia. Biden dijo que Estados Unidos no estaba seguro del paradero de Assad, pero estaba monitoreando informes de que buscaba refugio en Moscú. La administración saliente de Biden y el presidente electo Donald Trump estaban trabajando para comprender las nuevas amenazas y oportunidades en todo Medio Oriente. Biden atribuyó lo ocurrido a la acción de Estados Unidos y sus aliados por debilitar a los partidarios de Siria —Rusia, Irán y Hezbollah. Dijo que los partidarios de Siria “por primera vez” ya no podían defender el control de Assad sobre el poder. “Nuestro enfoque ha cambiado el equilibrio de poder en Medio Oriente”, dijo Biden, después de una reunión con su equipo de seguridad nacional en la Casa Blanca. RELATED COVERAGE Análisis: La caída de Assad en Siria, un golpe para el ‘Eje de Resistencia’ de Irán Al menos 14 muertos, incluidos niños, en ataques en Gaza Reacciones globales a la repentina destitución de Assad en Siria varían entre júbilo y alarma Trump dijo el domingo que Assad había huido de su país porque el presidente ruso Vladímir Putin “ya no estaba interesado en protegerlo”. Esos comentarios en la plataforma de redes sociales de Trump llegaron un día después de que usara otra publicación para deplorar la posibilidad de que Estados Unidos interviniera militarmente en Siria para ayudar a los rebeldes, declarando, “ESTA NO ES NUESTRA LUCHA”. La administración de Biden no tiene intención de intervenir, según el actual asesor de seguridad nacional. Estados Unidos tiene alrededor de 900 efectivos en Siria, incluidas fuerzas que trabajan con aliados kurdos en el noreste controlado por la oposición para prevenir cualquier resurgimiento del grupo Estado Islámico. Biden dijo que tiene la intención de que esas tropas permanecieran, agregando que las fuerzas estadounidenses realizaron el domingo “docenas” de lo que él llamó “ataques aéreos de precisión” en campamentos y operaciones del Estado Islámico en Siria. La oposición siria que derrocó a Assad está liderada por Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. La administración Biden ha designado al grupo como una organización terrorista y dice que tiene vínculos con al-Qaeda, aunque Hayat Tahrir al-Sham dice que desde entonces ha roto lazos con al-Qaeda. “Permaneceremos vigilantes”, dijo Biden. “No se equivoquen, algunos de los grupos rebeldes que derrocaron a Assad tienen su propio sombrío historial de terrorismo y abusos de derechos humanos”. Añadió que los grupos están “diciendo las cosas correctas ahora”. “Pero a medida que asumen mayor responsabilidad, evaluaremos no solo sus palabras, sino sus acciones”, dijo Biden. La caída de Assad se suma a una situación ya tensa en gran parte de la región en muchos frentes, incluida la guerra de Israel con Hamás en Gaza y su frágil alto el fuego con Hezbollah en Líbano. Trump, quien asume el cargo el 20 de enero de 2025, hizo una conexión entre lo ocurrido en Siria y la guerra de Rusia en Ucrania, señalando que Rusia e Irán “están en un estado debilitado en este momento”. El vicepresidente electo JD Vance, un veterano de la guerra de Irak, escribió en sus propias redes sociales el domingo para expresar escepticismo sobre los insurgentes. “Muchos de ‘los rebeldes’ son literalmente una ramificación de ISIS. Uno puede esperar que se hayan moderado. El tiempo lo dirá”, dijo, usando otro acrónimo para el grupo. Trump ha sugerido que la destitución de Assad puede avanzar las perspectivas para poner fin a los combates en Ucrania, que fue invadida por Rusia en febrero de 2022. Trump escribió que el gobierno de Putin “perdió todo interés en Siria debido a Ucrania” y el republicano pidió un alto el fuego inmediato, un día después de reunirse en París con los líderes franceses y ucranianos. Daniel B. Shapiro, un subsecretario asistente de defensa para el Medio Oriente, dijo que la presencia militar estadounidense continuará en el este de Siria pero fue “únicamente para asegurar la derrota duradera del EI y no tiene nada que ver con otros aspectos de este conflicto”. “Hacemos un llamado a todas las partes en Siria para que protejan a los civiles, particularmente a aquellos de las comunidades minoritarias de Siria, para que respeten las normas militares internacionales y trabajen para lograr una resolución que incluya el acuerdo político”, dijo Shapiro. “Varios actores en este conflicto tienen un terrible historial que incluye los horribles crímenes de Assad, el bombardeo aéreo indiscriminado de Rusia, la participación de milicias respaldadas por Irán y las atrocidades del EI”, agregó. Shapiro, sin embargo, fue cuidadoso en no decir directamente que Assad había sido depuesto por los insurgentes. “Si se confirma, nadie debería derramar lágrimas por el régimen de Assad”, dijo. A medida que avanzaban hacia la capital siria de Damasco, la oposición liberó a detenidos políticos de las prisiones gubernamentales. La familia del periodista estadounidense desaparecido Austin Tice renovó los llamados para encontrarlo. “A todos en Siria que escuchen esto, por favor recuerden a la gente que estamos esperando a Austin”, dijo la madre de Tice, Debra, en comentarios que los grupos de defensa de rehenes difundieron en redes sociales. “Sabemos que cuando salga, va a estar bastante aturdido y va a necesitar mucho cuidado y dirección. ¡Diríjanlo a su familia, por favor!” Tice desapareció en 2012 fuera de Damasco, en medio de la intensificación de lo que se convirtió en una guerra civil de más de una década. “Hemos permanecido comprometidos en devolverlo a su familia”, dijo Biden en la Casa Blanca. “Creemos que está vivo, pensamos que podemos recuperarlo, pero aún no tenemos pruebas directas de eso. Y Assad debe ser responsabilizado”. El presidente agregó: “Tenemos que identificar dónde está”. ___ Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.Stocks closed lower as Wall Street ended a holiday-shortened week on a down note. The S & P 500 fell 1.1% Friday and the the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 333 points, or 0.8%. The Nasdaq composite dropped 1.5%. The “Magnificent 7” stocks weighed on the market, led by declines in Nvidia, Tesla and Microsoft. Even with the loss, the S & P 500 had a modest gain for the week and is still headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose slightly. On Friday: The S & P 500 fell 66.75 points, or 1.1%, to 5,970.84. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 333.59 points, or 0.8%, to 49,992.21. The Nasdaq composite fell 298.33 points, or 1.5%, to 19,722.03. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies dropped 35.60 points, or 1.6%, to 2,244.59. For the week: The S & P 500 is up 39.99 points, or 0.7%. The Dow is up 151.95 points, or 0.4%. The Nasdaq is up 149.43 points, or 0.8% The Russell 2000 is up 2.22 points, or 0.1%. For the year: The S & P 500 is up 1,201.01 points, or 25.2%. The Dow is up 5,302.67, or 14.1%. The Nasdaq is up 4,710.68 points, or 31.4%. The Russell 2000 is up 217.52 points, or 10.7%.

Empowered Funds LLC Has $1.02 Million Stock Holdings in Chemung Financial Co. (NASDAQ:CHMG)AP News Summary at 5:04 p.m. ESTBOSTON , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Judge Baker Children's Center d/b/a The Baker Center for Children and Families ("The Baker Center"), a nationally recognized provider of services for children's mental health, has learned of a data security incident that may have impacted certain personal and / or protected health information. On December 27, 2024 , The Baker Center formally notified potentially affected individuals with available address information and provided resources to assist them. On July 28, 2024 , The Baker Center discovered unusual activity within its local digital storage environment. After taking immediate steps to ensure the environment was secure, The Baker Center enlisted independent cybersecurity experts to conduct an investigation to determine what happened and whether sensitive information may have been impacted. According to the investigation, an unauthorized actor gained access to The Baker Center's systems between July 26 - 28, 2024 and may have downloaded certain files. Following a thorough review of the impacted files, on October 28, 2024 , The Baker Center determined that certain individuals' personal and/or protected health information was potentially impacted during the incident. The information affected during this incident varies between individuals but may have involved the following: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license or other government identification number, financial account information, health insurance information, medical treatment or diagnosis information, and/or clinical information. On December 27, 2024 , The Baker Center mailed notification letters to potentially impacted individuals with verifiable address information. The letters include information about this incident and about steps that potentially impacted individuals can take to monitor and help protect their personal and protected health information. The Baker Center has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and to address related concerns. The call center can be reached at 844-920-8988, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern time . The Baker Center takes the security and privacy of information in its possession very seriously and is taking steps to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future. The Baker Center deeply regrets any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/judge-baker-childrens-center-dba-the-baker-center-for-children-and-families-provides-notice-of-data-security-incident-302339677.html SOURCE The Baker Center for Children and Families

Families warned of Christmas turkey shortage amid possible disruption at major supermarketsAs it turns out, August 5 was a great day to buy bitcoin when it briefly fell below US$50,000. If you did, and held on for what turned out to be a relatively short white knuckle ride lasting exactly four months, you would have succeeded in doubling your money after bitcoin traded above US$100,000 last week to reach a new all-time high. That seems like an extraordinary outcome – and it is! Never before has the election of a US President delivered such a significant windfall to a group of investors who right now must feel like they have just experienced the trade of their lives. Since Donald Trump’s victory was confirmed one month ago, bitcoin has increased in value by an astonishing 40 percent. And bitcoin is not alone in feeling the love. Excluding stablecoins, which are designed to avoid price swings, the top 20 crypto coins have appreciated even faster, on average, than bitcoin. Dogecoin, a meme coin often promoted by Elon Musk, an ardent Trump fan-turned-adviser, has more than tripled in value since election day. It marks a stunning comeback from 2022-23, when a perfect storm sent cryptocurrencies tumbling from the peaks they had reached during the mania of 2021. Back then the US Federal Reserve was briskly raising interest rates, and in doing so cooling the speculative fever that had gripped markets in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mismanagement and fraud caused several crypto firms once deemed above board – not least FTX, one of the largest crypto exchanges – to collapse, tainting the entire industry. Financial watchdogs were preparing to pounce and potentially regulate the sector almost out of existence. But then crypto found the perfect champion in Donald Trump, a convert who would not only preach the crypto gospel to his devoted flock in the runup to his eventual re-election but proclaim the word of crypto with messianic zeal few believers could have ever imagined. On any level none of it makes any sense. Why is something whose value can’t be measured worth 40 percent more than it was a month ago? But trying to explain the rise of bitcoin is a bit like trying to explain the existence of God to an atheist. You’re either a believer in cryptocurrencies or you’re not. And right now there will be many investors wishing they could believe, but just can’t bring themselves to convert, although judging by the numbers quite a few already have. Equally, there will be plenty of others, particularly techno loving trend loving Gen Zers, who in recent weeks just couldn’t resist joining the herd. After all, they’re the generation who love nothing more than jumping on board whenever something shiny catches their attention. And for those who did, they have been handsomely rewarded for their risk-taking. It all seems such an easy way to make money, particularly as the meme coin craze once again ignites in the same way NFTs (remember those) did in 2021. But search “is bitcoin in a bubble?” and you’ll find plenty of thought provoking commentary suggesting bitcoin is no different from many other bubbles that have formed previously in financial markets; though what makes this one different is the amount of serious money now backing bitcoin as a result of the emergence of crypto-focused exchange traded funds or ETFs. Recent studies on the determinants of speculative bubbles in the cryptocurrency market have produced varied results. Some researchers have pointed to herd behaviour as the key driver, while others have emphasized the influence of tweets from the likes of Elon Musk, or more recently those of President-elect Donald Trump. Other authors have put forth the argument of volume shocks. The debate surrounding the concept of a speculative bubble often centres on whether bubbles result from rational or irrational behaviour. According to the rationalist perspective, a speculative bubble is defined as an abnormal rise in asset prices not justified by intrinsic factors. This means that asset prices increase beyond their fundamental value due to speculative activity, while continuing to attract new investors until they reach the maximum rational anticipation level before abruptly falling to their fundamental value as a result of a bubble having formed. According to the irrationalist perspective, a speculative bubble occurs when security prices, particularly stocks, rise well above their actual value. This trend continues until there are no more potential buyers. Supply then becomes significantly greater than demand, leading to panic and causing prices to rapidly go into reverse. Investors are frequently driven by herd behaviour, where one buys because they see others buying, assuming the others possess the correct information. Given the significant amount of promotion of cryptocurrencies on social media channels by a range of high profile opinion leaders and so called ‘influencers’, it’s not hard to see why bitcoin has quickly gained the momentum it has, just as we saw a few years ago with the emergence of the GameStop phenomenon. More people jumping on board in turn attracts more people until some begin to start cashing in and so the pendulum eventually tips the other way. But while it is relatively straightforward to be able to value a share, or most other financial investments, valuing bitcoin requires the investor to buy into a belief system for an asset that itself has no underlying value at all. It simply relies on the buyer being willing to pay a higher price than the seller paid it for. That old trading adage “markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent” comes to mind. So could bitcoin double in value again in a years’ time? Who knows? It is just as likely to double in value as it is to halve in value. We have no idea, which indeed is the essence of its appeal to investors who love the thrill of the chase. It’s the ultimate investment for those who revel in the ‘risk-on-steroids’ aspect of bitcoin, and crypto currencies more generally. But as the value of those cryptocurrencies closes in on US$4 trillion globally, a significant correction in the price has much greater implications for global financial stability than was the case just a few years ago. It’s worth considering the global crypto market now equates to one third of the size of the entire US mortgage market and in 2008/09 we saw what happened when less than 10 percent of it went bad. Right now, it’s the believers who are calling the tune, but it may well be the non-believers who also end up paying the price for the current speculative fervour. The NZ sharemarket recorded its second biggest weekly fall for the year with the slipping almost 2 percent, following Auckland Council’s surprise decision to sell off its remaining 9.7 percent shareholding in had investors cashing up to take advantage of the unexpected buying opportunity. As the country’s only major ‘gateway’ airport, the block sale offered investors a rare chance to buy into a high quality infrastructure, with a unique monopoly, that is particularly attractive for long term fund managers. The lightening quick sale, which seemingly attracted little debate amongst Auckland’s cash-strapped councillors compared to the decision to sell the first tranche of its shareholding last year, will return at least $1.31 billion dollars for Auckland Councils Future Fund. Auckland Airport (AIA) shares ended the week up 4.6 percent at $8.12 following the completion of the sale process. Just three weeks ago AIA shares traded as low as $7.21. With its increased liquidity, AIA will now move to the number two spot on the NZX50 index from today with a weighting of 10.1 percent, while market leader , will see its weighting slightly reduced from its current 16.8 percent and will be relegated to the number 3 position with a weighting of around 9.5%. Aside from the Auckland Airport share sale, there was a noticeable weariness amongst investors at the prospect of NZ’s economic rebound potentially taking longer than had previously been expected, according to recent data. ANZ Research said the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update, which will be released on December 17, is expected to show a potential delay to achieving a surplus until 2029 at the earliest, following a more pessimistic tone from the Treasury on the economic outlook along with an expected upgrade to bond issuance guidance. Across the Tasman, Australia’s annual GDP increased 0.8 percent, below the estimate of 1.1 percent and behind the 1 percent rise in the 12 months through June. The slowing economy raised hopes that its Reserve Bank might reduce its official cash rate when it meets this week having been at a 13-year high of 4.35 percent since late last year. (THL) shares ended the week down almost 7 percent at $1.91 after announcing part of its business would be restructured. The company said it had combined the roles of chief financial and chief people officer as well as announcing the closure of its Melbourne subassembly plant with the loss of 100 jobs. THL said support office roles in the United States had also been reduced, resulting in savings of more than $500,000 a year, as part of its program of targeting $12m in cost reductions by 2027. THL continues to face difficult trading conditions in the face of a slump in recreational vehicle rentals and sales. In the US, the benchmark index closed at 6,090, yet another record high, after gaining 1 percent for the week following better than expected jobs data on Friday which showed a total of 227,000 new roles were created in November, a sharp rebound from the 12,000 positions reported in October (subsequently revised up to 36,000 in the latest release). The unemployment rate in the US rose 0.1 percent to 4.2 percent. A US appeals court on Friday upheld a law requiring TikTok’s owner ByteDance to sell the platform or face a likely ban next year in the US, dealing a major blow to the Chinese company behind the video app. The law, signed by outgoing President Joe Biden this year, orders TikTok to be banned in the country if the app does not divest from its parent by January 19 2025 — the day before Donald Trump is inaugurated as president. The unanimous ruling from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said the law — which centres on a controversial national security issue involving China and received strong bipartisan support in Congress — was constitutional and did not violate First Amendment protections for free speech, as TikTok had claimed. The “government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States,” the panel wrote in its decision. TikTok in now left in a precarious position in one of its biggest markets, although the law’s political future is uncertain. On the campaign trail before his re-election, Trump said he opposed the platform’s ban and promised to “save” the app. In an email to staff, TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew wrote that the next step would be to “seek an injunction of the ban, pending a review by the US Supreme Court.” The law requires Apple and Google to remove the social media app, which is wildly popular among younger Generation Z users, from their app stores if a divestiture does not take place before the January deadline. It also bans the app from web-hosting services. The reported the Chinese embassy in Washington said the law would have “a serious impact on the online social platform used by half of Americans” and was a “blatant act of commercial robbery”. Before his re-election, Trump said he would not ban TikTok upon his return to the White House, in an attempt to preserve “competition” in a market dominated by Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, which the president-elect has described as an “enemy of the people”. International Migration & Travel (Oct) – Stats NZ

SINGAPORE: Festive gift-giving is getting a digital transformation in China and becoming the new battleground for Chinese social media apps as e-commerce competition heats up. Tencent’s WeChat has been testing out a new feature allowing users to browse, buy and send presents to friends and relatives, while Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, rolled out a similar gifting function back in January. WeChat, a multi-functional platform that offers services from messaging to mobile payment and gaming, has more than 1.3 billion monthly active users, making it one of the most widely used apps in the world. Its new “Send Gift” feature, added to its app store on Dec 19, allows users to “show appreciation” for their loved ones by searching for products priced at 10,000 yuan and below. The feature is “being rolled out gradually”, WeChat said in a statement, and for now, is only available to a selected number of users in mainland China. “We are still working hard to gradually improve the relevant functions,” the company said. Those able to use the function bought gifts like cosmetics and snacks and sent them on to their friends. One user who went by the name Diana, shared her experience of sending makeup foundation worth 480 yuan to a friend, praising the “practicality” of the new service and saying it was useful for holidays like Christmas and birthdays. She recalled her friend reacting with confusion upon receiving her WeChat gift. “(She thought) she was sent a meme, but it was actually a Christmas gift,” Diana said. The novelty of the new WeChat function also sparked discussion on the Xiaohongshu social media app, with some expressing excitement of being able to send gifts to friends and relatives quickly, with others commenting that they were eager for it to be rolled out on their accounts. Some Xiaohongshu bloggers also shared step by step tutorials showing users how to send and receive gifts. One user who went by the handle Momozi, expressed doubts, saying more improvements were needed and she did not see older app users trying out the gift giving function. “Firstly, a gift should be a surprise. If not I’ll simply send a red packet,” she said. “Why not simply just send money?” Irate users also left one star reviews on WeChat shop’s customer service platform, describing unfavourable experiences they had in dealing with unresponsive sellers and merchants who did not send out orders once placed, as well as the lack of refundable options. The feature allows users to purchase products from WeChat stores and send them to other users through a virtual gift format. Gifts are capped at 10,000 yuan, excluding jewellery and tutoring classes, with the option to hide prices from the recipient. After selecting a product, users would then click on “send to friend” and complete payment. There is also no need to include a recipient’s delivery address, WeChat said and gift orders will not contain buyer information or payment details. Gifts are non-transferrable and users will not be allowed to cancel orders. But if gifts are not accepted by the recipient within 24 hours, the order would then be cancelled and the money refunded to the sender’s accounts. RESHAPING THE GIFT-GIVING CULTURE China’s e-commerce market is the largest in the world, generating billions in revenue and outpacing the United States. Giving money and gifts is a huge part of Chinese culture and in 2014, WeChat introduced virtual red packets linked to its digital payment service. The virtual red packets were a hit with users who received amounts of money in the form of transactions quickly and conveniently through their apps, and digitised a deeply-rooted Chinese tradition ahead of the new year. It also gave Tencent the edge in the digital payment battle against e-commerce rival Alibaba’s Alipay system, industry experts said. In 2017 alone, WeChat users exchanged around 46 billion digital red packets over the new year period in January. Just as WeChat changed the way people gave out traditional red packets, can it do the same with its new “gift-giving” feature? “Gifting is something deeply rooted in Chinese culture, just like red packets are,” said Li Jianggan, CEO of Singapore-based venture firm Momentum Works, adding that spending habits and gifting behaviour of younger Chinese differed substantially from elders. Analyst Dave Xie from the Oliver Wyman global management consulting firm, called the new feature “a strategic move” on Tencent’s part. “China's e-commerce landscape has undergone significant transformations in recent years, driven by emerging platforms, evolving consumer behaviors and strategic adaptations by established players,” Xie told CNA. WeChat’s “extensive” user base and established social connections could provide a unique advantage in driving e-commerce engagement, he added. With more than 1.3 billion active monthly users, WeChat is a “powerful tool” and has something “none of the Chinese e-commerce platforms have”, Li said, a huge user network and trusted social map. “As WeChat gradually gets deeper into social commerce and live commerce, there is a good possibility that the e-commerce competitive landscape (in China) will be reshaped.” But it is still “hard to predict” if the new gift-giving function will be as popular and widely used among WeChat users as digital red packets, Li said, adding that it was “safe to assume” it would have a smaller use as compared to payment. “That said, we believe that gifting is just one of the many attempts to effectively embed social commerce into the WeChat ecosystem.” In line with government internet restrictions, app-associated services like Facebook marketplace and Instagram Shopping aren’t made available to Chinese users. WeChat's new gift-giving function is also not the first in the Chinese market. Earlier this year, Douyin released a similar gifting function called “sui xin song” or “Gift as you wish” – allowing its users to send out gift vouchers. It also ran a special Chinese New Year campaign allowing users to send gifts to their loved ones, with gifts worth over 40 million yuan sent. Social gift giving “naturally” aligns with WeChat’s social DNA, Xie said, with the potential to “create unique social shopping experiences” for users on the platform. But success will depend on being able to convert “social engagement” into sustainable sales growth. One of the biggest challenges for the new gift-giving function would be how it functions and operates, Li said. “What is the selection of products available... and how do you manage the user experiences and expectations? How (can WeChat) regulate the system so that it doesn’t get abused by illicit merchants and scammers?” “This is something that Wechat can tap into if they find the right magic formula.”Israeli strikes without warning in central Beirut kill at least 15 as diplomats push for cease-fire BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — Lebanese officials say Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 15 people and injured dozens in central Beirut, as the once-rare attacks on the heart of Lebanon’s capital continue without warning. Diplomats are scrambling to broker a cease-fire but say obstacles still remain. The current proposal calls for a two-month cease-fire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. Lebanon’s Health Ministry says Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon in the months of fighting that have turned into all-out war. Trump raced to pick many Cabinet posts. He took more time to settle on a treasury secretary WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump launched a blitz of picks for his Cabinet, but he took his time settling on billionaire investor Scott Bessent as his choice for treasury secretary. The Republican not only wanted someone who jibes with him, but an official who can execute his economic vision and look straight out of central casting while doing so. With his Yale University education and pedigree trading for Soros Fund Management before establishing his own funds, Bessent will be tasked with a delicate balancing act. Trump expects him to help reset the global trade order, enable trillions of dollars in tax cuts, ensure inflation stays in check, manage a ballooning national debt and still keep the financial markets confident. Voters rejected historic election reforms across the US, despite more than $100M push JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Election reform advocates had hoped for a big year at the ballot box. That's because a historic number of states were considering initiatives for ranked choice voting or to end partisan primaries. Instead, voters dealt them big losses in the November elections. Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and South Dakota all rejected proposed changes to their voting systems. In Alaska, a proposal to repeal ranked choice voting appears to have narrowly fallen short. The losses in many states came even though election reform supporters raised more than $100 million, easily outpacing opponents. Supporters say they aren't giving up but plan to retool their efforts. The week that upped the stakes of the Ukraine war KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — This past week has seen the most significant escalation in hostilities Ukraine has witnessed since Russia's full-scale invasion and marks a new chapter in the nearly three-year war. It began with U.S. President Joe Biden reversing a longstanding policy by granting Kyiv permission to deploy American longer-range missiles inside Russian territory and ended with Moscow striking Ukraine with a new experimental ballistic weapon that has alarmed the international community and heightened fears of further escalation. Storm dumps record rain in Northern California, while US Northeast deals with winter storms HEALDSBURG, Calif. (AP) — A major storm continues to drop heavy snow and record rain in California, causing small landslides and flooding some streets. Meanwhile, on the opposite coast, blizzard or winter storm warnings were in effect Saturday from parts of the Northeast to central Appalachia. The storm on the West Coast arrived in the Pacific Northwest earlier this week, killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands, before moving through Northern California. Forecasters predicted that both coasts would begin to see a reprieve from the storms as the system moves into eastern Canada and the one in the West heads south. Even with access to blockbuster obesity drugs, some people don't lose weight Most people taking popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight have shed significant pounds. But obesity experts say that roughly 20% of patients — as many as 1 in 5 — may not see robust results with the new medications. The response to the drugs varies from person to person and can depend on genetics, hormones and differences in how the brain regulates energy. Undiagnosed medical conditions and some drugs can prevent weight loss. Experts say it can take experimentation to help so-called nonresponders find results. Fighting between armed sectarian groups in restive northwestern Pakistan kills at least 37 people PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A senior Pakistani police officer says fighting between armed sectarian groups in the country's restive northwest has killed at least 37 people. The overnight violence was the latest to rock Kurram, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and comes days after a deadly gun ambush killed 42 people. The officer said Saturday that armed men torched shops, houses and government property overnight. Gunfire is ongoing between rival tribes. Although Sunnis and Shiites generally live together peacefully in Pakistan, tensions remain in some areas, especially Kurram. These Peruvian women left the Amazon, but their homeland still inspires their songs and crafts LIMA, Peru (AP) — Many Shipibo-Konibo craftswomen migrated from their Indigenous communities in the Amazon to Peru's capital, Lima, in the past few decades. Their ancestors' legacy remains present through their songs and techniques, and some of them have managed to make a living out of their crafts. Textiles, jewelry and paintings convey the culture, worldview and beliefs from the lands where they were born. Doctor at the heart of Turkey's newborn baby deaths case says he was a 'trusted' physician ISTANBUL (AP) — The Turkish doctor at the center of an alleged fraud scheme that led to the deaths of 10 babies says he was a “trusted” physician. Dr. Firat Sari is one of 47 people on trial accused of transferring newborn babies to neonatal units of private hospitals, where they were allegedly kept for prolonged and sometimes unnecessary treatments in order to receive social security payments. Sari said patients were referred to him because people trusted him and he did not bribe anyone involved with Turkey’s emergency medical phone line. Sari, said to be the plot’s ringleader, faces up to 583 years in prison. Hydrate. Make lists. Leave yourself time. And other tips for reducing holiday travel stress Travel, especially during the holiday season, can be stressful. But following some tips from the pros as you prepare for a trip can make for a smoother, less anxious experience. One expert traveler suggests making a list a week before you go of things you need to do and pack. Cross off each item as you complete it during the week. Another tip is to carry your comfort zone with you. That could mean noise-canceling headphones, playlists meant to soothe airport travelers, entertainment and snacks from home. Carry a change of clothes and a phone charger in case of delays. Stay hydrated. Leave extra time. And know your airline's rules. Downloading the airline's app can help with that.

Homelessness much worse than before COVID leaves agencies battling a perfect stormFormer IZ*ONE member-turned-soloist Lee Chaeyeon has taken a firm stand amid the ongoing political turmoil. On December 7, KST, Chaeyeon posted a lengthy message on a fan communication platform, directly addressing a fan’s comment that implied she shouldn’t be vocal about politics because of her celebrity status. You’re saying it isn’t my place to talk about politics? Then what kind of position allows someone to talk about politics? — Lee Chaeyeon Lee continued her response in follow-up messages, adding that she feels the urge to speak up because she is a citizen, but even more so because she is a celebrity with a big platform. As a citizen and as a member of society, I will decide for myself. I will raise my voice because I am a celebrity. I really appreciate your concern, but let’s strive to live in a better world together. A world where we can love freely. — Lee Chaeyeon Chaeyeon’s remarks came in the context of South Korea’s ongoing political turmoil. Citizens and opposition politicians are pushing for President Yoon Suk Yeol ’s impeachment after he tried to establish martial law on December 3, KST. While the singer’s stance was courageous on its own, it has garnered even more attention for sharply contrasting singer Lim Young Woong ’s response to similar concerns. On December 8, KST, a netizen posted their alleged interaction with Lim through Instagram DMs, asking him why he didn’t care to speak up in the current situation. Lim surprisingly responded by saying, “ Am I a politician, though? Why would I voice anything?” Lim’s response has caused some serious damage to his public image, turning the Korean disappointed in him. In contrast, Chaeyeon’s response has gained her more support and appreciation from not only Korean fans but from netizens all over the world.

Selena Gomez responds to 'Emilia Pérez' criticism: 'I did the best I could'None

Percentages: FG .321, FT .833. 3-Point Goals: 5-19, .263 (Badru 2-4, Poser 2-5, Hamelin 1-4, McComb 0-3, Sunderland 0-3). Team Rebounds: 3. Team Turnovers: 2. Blocked Shots: 3 (Okpomo 2, Sunderland). Turnovers: 11 (Hamelin 5, McComb 2, Badru, Middleton, Okpomo, Sunderland). Steals: 4 (Badru, Hamelin, McComb, Poser). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .419, FT .667. 3-Point Goals: 4-19, .211 (Pascarelli 2-4, Daughtry 1-2, Price 1-6, Collins-Roberts 0-1, Kawa 0-1, Mackrey 0-1, Lewis 0-2, Roberts 0-2). Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: 3. Blocked Shots: 6 (Daughtry 4, Lewis, Schofield). Turnovers: 10 (Daughtry 4, Collins-Roberts 2, Kawa, Lewis, Pascarelli, Price). Steals: 3 (Lewis 2, Kabamba). Technical Fouls: None. A_1,659 (3,200).

Updating apps is essential for maintaining your device's performance. When it comes to updating apps on your phone, caution is key. Michelle from New Jersey recently reached out with a common concern: "When you click on an app on your phone, and you get a message that it needs to be updated, click here, can you trust that this is legit? Or should you close out and go to the App Store?" Great question, Michelle. App updates are essential for maintaining your device's performance and security. They often include bug fixes, new features and security patches that protect against vulnerabilities. However, scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, often using fake update notifications to trick you into downloading malware or providing personal information. GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS - SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER - THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE App Store icon on an iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) Identifying red flags Being able to spot suspicious update notifications is crucial for maintaining your device's security. Here are some specific signs that an update notification may be fraudulent : 1. Unexpected alerts from unknown apps If you receive a notification from an app you don't recognize, it is best not to engage with it. You should be especially wary of alerts claiming to be from system apps or security software that you didn't install. To verify the legitimacy of the app, check your installed apps list to see if the app actually exists on your device. For iPhone Tap the App Store icon on your iPhone's home screen. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Apps, then tap My Apps to see a list of all apps you’ve downloaded. You will see "All" the apps currently installed on your device listed, and you can also see apps that are not currently installed by tapping "Not on This iPhone." When you tap on "Not on This iPhone," you will see a list of apps that you have previously downloaded or purchased but have since removed from your device. For Android S ettings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer. Tap the Google Play Store icon on your Android. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Manage apps & devices" from the menu options. Tap on the "Manage" tab, then select "Installed" to see all apps currently on your device. You can also check for any unknown apps here. Regularly reviewing this list of apps helps you stay aware of what is installed on your device and allows you to identify any unfamiliar applications that may pose a security risk. ALARMING RISE OF FAKE LEGAL REQUESTS: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR PRIVACY 2. Requests for personal information Legitimate updates will never ask for sensitive data like passwords , credit card information or Social Security numbers. You should be suspicious of any update process that requires you to input personal details. Official updates are typically handled through your device's operating system or app store, which already has your account information. Fake iPhone update notification text (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) BEWARE OF FAKE PARKING TICKETS ON YOUR WINDSHIELD WITH FAKE FINES 3. Pop-ups asking to subscribe to calendars Pop-ups requesting you to subscribe to calendars can fill your calendar with spam and phishing messages . Legitimate apps rarely, if ever, request calendar access through pop-ups during updates. Therefore, you should be cautious of any unexpected requests for access to your device's features or data. BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC, PC, IPHONES AND ANDROIDS - CYBERGUY PICKS 4. Urgent or threatening language Scammers often use fear tactics to prompt immediate action. You should be skeptical of messages claiming your device is at immediate risk or that you'll lose data if you don't update immediately. Legitimate updates are typically communicated in a calm and informative manner without using high-pressure tactics to rush users into making decisions. A man received a fake update notification on his phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) SCAMMERS EXPLOIT GRIEF WITH FAKE FUNERAL STREAMING ON FACEBOOK 5. Unusual update sources Be cautious of updates that direct you to websites outside your official app store. Legitimate updates for mobile apps are typically conducted through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, which helps ensure that you receive safe and verified software. System updates should always come through your device's built-in update mechanism, like the one below, to maintain security and integrity. Legitimate iOS update (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) 6. Spelling and grammatical errors Official updates from reputable companies are usually well-written and free of obvious errors. If you notice poor spelling, grammar or formatting in an update notification, it can be a sign of a hastily created scam. WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? 7. Unexpected permissions requests If an update suddenly asks for permissions that seem unrelated to the app's function, this could be a red flag. For example, a calculator app shouldn't need access to your contacts or camera. A woman scrolling on her phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) 8. Mismatched branding or visual elements Pay attention to the visual details of update notifications. Scammers may use logos or color schemes that are slightly off from the official branding. Look for inconsistencies in font, styling or overall design compared to legitimate notifications you've seen before. Tips for protecting yourself from fake notifications To ensure your safety while navigating app updates, here are some simple tips to follow: 1. Be wary of email and text alerts; protect yourself with strong antivirus software Manufacturers will not send you emails or texts prompting you to update your apps. Always treat such messages as suspicious and avoid clicking on any links as they may contain malware. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices . 2. Close the app and verify If you receive an unexpected update notification: Close the app immediately. Open your device's official app store (Google Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS). Search for the app in question to check for any available updates. This method ensures that you are only downloading updates from legitimate sources. 3. Check your device settings You can also verify if there are any system updates available by checking your phone's settings: For iPhone: Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update For Android: Go to Settings > System > System Update . S ettings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer Regularly checking for system updates can also enhance your device's overall security. Before performing major updates, especially system updates, ensure that your data is backed up . This protects your information in case something goes wrong during the update process. 4. Enable automatic updates Most smartphones allow you to enable automatic updates for apps and system software. This feature helps ensure that your applications are always up-to-date without requiring manual intervention. For iPhone Open the Settings app. Tap General. Select Software Update. Tap Automatic Updates and turn it on by swiping the button to the right. Go back to Settings , tap App Store. In the Automatic Downloads section, turn on App Updates by swiping the button to the right. For Android S ettings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer Open the Google Play Store app. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Manage apps & devices. Tap on the Manage tab, then select Installed. Tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner and select Auto-update apps. Choose your preferred option: Over any network or Over Wi-Fi only. GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE Even if you have automatic updates enabled, it's a good practice to manually check for updates periodically. This ensures that you don’t miss any important updates that might not have been automatically installed. 5. Verify sources Always ensure that updates are coming from verified sources. Only download software from official websites or app stores to avoid malware and phishing attempts. 6. Monitor app permissions After updating apps, review the permissions they request. If an app asks for permissions that seem unnecessary for its function, consider whether you want to keep it installed. 7. Uninstall unused apps Regularly review and uninstall apps that you no longer use. This reduces potential vulnerabilities and keeps your device clutter-free. For iPhone Find the app you want to uninstall on your home screen. Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears, then tap Remove App. Select Delete App to confirm. For Android Find the app you want to uninstall in your app drawer or home screen. Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears, then tap Uninstall. Tap OK to confirm the uninstallation. SUBSCRIBE TO KURT’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR QUICK VIDEO TIPS ON HOW TO WORK ALL OF YOUR TECH DEVICES Kurt's key takeaways While keeping your apps updated is crucial for security and performance, it's equally important to approach update notifications with skepticism. Verifying through official channels is always the safest route. By following these tips and staying informed about potential scams, you can protect yourself from cyberthreats while enjoying the benefits of updated applications. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP What specific measures do you think the App Store and Google Play should implement to better protect users from fraudulent update notifications? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover Follow Kurt on his social channels Facebook YouTube Instagram Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions: What is the best way to protect your Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android devices from getting hacked? What is the best way to stay private, secure and anonymous while browsing the web? How can I get rid of robocalls with apps and data removal services? How do I remove my private data from the internet? New from Kurt: Kurt’s Best New Holiday Deals Try CyberGuy's new games (crosswords, word searches, trivia and more!) Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX'No. 9 Kentucky, focused on getting better, welcomes Jackson St.

Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX'PM urged to raise human rights on Gulf trip after Boris Johnson 'dictator' comment

Australian rules football is not played in Moree. or signup to continue reading There are no fields, no goalposts, and no team. But Lauren Appleby fell in love when a friend introduced her to the game. Now, she's travelling eight hours each way to attend training as a member of the highly coveted Sydney Swans Academy. With hopes to hear her name called out during the 2025 AFLW draft, the 17-year-old is taking the travel in her stride. "I'd love to be drafted one day," Appleby said. "It's a goal of mine, especially coming from more of a remote area, it makes it 10 times harder and even 10 times more of a goal." She is one of eight Academy players featured in a new docuseries, following their progression towards draft night. But the road to an AFL contract is winding. And a spot in an Academy doesn't guarantee you anything. Balancing farm work, the HSC, and hours upon hours of travel takes a lot, and when Appleby is training on her own, there is no one but herself to keep her accountable. Kicking towards goals constructed by her dad with plastic tubes from old farming equipment, she's making football work for her. "Training at home has to be done all by myself and with my motivation," she said. "The training is unreal to have really, coming from home where you've got nothing at all to here where you've got the best of the best. "I train at home, I've got a small little backyard that gives me enough room to run around and kick the footy. Dad put up some posts in the backyard for me to aim at, and that's my training. That's probably the only posts that are in town at all." Despite not having access to the same facilities and competitions as many Academy teammates, Appleby hasn't let being in Moree hold her back. It's made her more driven than ever to succeed. Documenting herself through the filming of she wants the world to see how far country kids can go. Turning the camera on didn't come naturally at first, but by the end of the season, she was more than comfortable chatting to her phone. "I think it's pretty cool to be able to have more of a unique story to everyone else," Appleby said. "I'm just paying a lot further away coming in to travel, and not having much at home just makes my story so much different, which I love because I'd love to be able to encourage other people from around more remote areas to be able to chase their dreams and put your mind to something and be able to do it." Her dedication has paid off. She has played in all but one of the Academy games this season and made a cameo appearance in the Under 22 Summer Series. While it was a dream season for Appleby, for every player with highs, there are some with lows. Ned Hardman has been in the Sydney Swans Academy his whole footballing life. He's been involved since his first year of eligibility, but when he decided to turn his focus entirely to football, the universe played a cruel joke. Running out for one final game of rugby union with his school team, Hardman didn't make it to the end of the game, breaking the top of his left tibia off and dislocating his kneecap into his quad. It led to months away from the game. "I've loved footy from a very young age, I've always wanted to do it, and I love playing it," Hardman said. "It was pretty challenging but I think it would have been worse if my draft year was last year. "But because I knew I still had this year I wasn't too annoyed. I was only really annoyed during a few Swans games, seeing everybody else go out and same thing with training, when everyone else could go out I'd just be staying inside because I couldn't join them." Sitting on the sidelines, filming a documentary, wasn't how Hawkins had anticipated his 2024 season would go. But to share the behind-the-scenes reality of the Academy, he said, was a privilege. "It was pretty unique, it's pretty good because it shows the behind the scenes of what it's actually like to be in the Academy," he said. Aimi Jenkin was shocked when she was asked to join the Academy for the first time in 2024. Only able to attend two trials, she was not sure she had done enough to get into the program her brothers were already part of. But the high of selection was quickly brought down when she injured her hand in her very first training session. "It was pretty devastating, to be honest," Jenkin said. "I was excited to get back and get into everything, but obviously, going into the first session [I injured myself], it was pretty demoralizing." Though the experience has made her more resilient as a player, it has also increased her ongoing caution about injury. With a history of concussions, she said the possibility of being reinjured and forced to the sidelines again is always in the back of her mind. Support from her family, including younger twin brothers Guy and William, who are also in the Academy, helps. "It definitely was intimidating, but the whole thing was surreal," Jenkin said. "Obviously, I've been working up to it for a really long time and my brothers are in the Academy, so I'd heard from them all their experiences. "So I was quite prepared of what it felt like, what it would be like and it was great." While the season was rocky for the teenager, filming for the docuseries was a bright spot when things felt tough. Being mic'd up at training was a new experience, forcing her to be on her best behaviour, but she has enjoyed the experience. "It's cool. I've gotten quite a few messages from friends and stuff, who are sending the episodes to me, but I think it's cool," she said. "I can just imagine me and like the other people in that documentary rocking up to a Swans game and everyone's like, 'oh yeah, they're some athletes from the documentary', so it's pretty cool." National video journalist at Australian Community Media. Previously a cadet journalist at the Illawarra Mercury and a radio and podcast host at 2SER Radio. Story tips? marlene.even@austcommunitymedia.com.au National video journalist at Australian Community Media. Previously a cadet journalist at the Illawarra Mercury and a radio and podcast host at 2SER Radio. Story tips? marlene.even@austcommunitymedia.com.au Tahlia Sinclair runs around Wagga Wagga for The Daily Advertiser. You can reach me on 0455 370 575 Tahlia Sinclair runs around Wagga Wagga for The Daily Advertiser. You can reach me on 0455 370 575 DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine's strategy under Trump, problematic signals from Ukrainians and parallels with WWI: an interviewThe stage is set for the counting of votes in the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly Elections, marking the culmination of a heated electoral battle. The process kicks off today at 8 am with the counting of postal ballots, and initial trends are expected by 9 am. This election could decide whether the BJP-led NDA can wrest power from the JMM-led INDIA bloc or if the ruling coalition retains its hold. This year's voter turnout hit a record-breaking 67.74%, the highest since the state was formed in 2000. Elaborate arrangements have been made at all counting centers, with observers deployed for every assembly constituency. “Preparations are on for the counting day on November 23. Each table will be headed by an ARO to ensure fair counting of postal ballots,” an Election Commission official stated. “The entire process will take place in a transparent manner under the full glare of the media and candidates or their agents.” Fierce Battle Between Key Alliances The elections, held in two phases on November 13 and 20, saw a strong voter turnout across the state's 81 constituencies. In the first phase, 43 seats were contested, followed by 38 in the second phase. The contest has been fierce, with the NDA targeting corruption and governance issues under the JMM-led alliance and the INDIA bloc highlighting welfare schemes and accusing the BJP-led Centre of political vendetta. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who contested from Barhait, faces challenges not only from the BJP but also from allegations linked to corruption and governance lapses. “The opposition party spent over ₹500 crore on malicious campaigns against me,” Soren alleged during the campaign. His wife, Kalpana Soren, also contested from Gandey. Other key candidates include BJP's Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri from Chandankiyari and Congress’s Deepika Pandey Singh from Mahagama. Prominent Leaders and High-Stakes Races The polls also saw participation from political heavyweights like BJP’s Babulal Marandi in Dhanwar and Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato (JMM) in Nala. AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto contested from Silli, while former Chief Minister Champai Soren ran from Seraikela. Campaigning featured prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. BJP’s rallies heavily criticized the ruling coalition, focusing on corruption and alleged infiltration. “Ek rahenge toh safe rahenge (if we remain united, we will be safe),” was a key slogan for the NDA, while INDIA bloc leaders emphasized promises of inclusive development and welfare programs. Reserved Seats and Changing Dynamics Of the 81 assembly seats, 28 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and nine for Scheduled Castes (SC). In the 2019 elections, the JMM won 19 ST seats, while the BJP secured two. On SC seats, the BJP won six, with the JMM and RJD taking two and one seat, respectively. This year, the NDA has fielded candidates in 68 seats, while allies AJSU Party, JD(U), and LJP(RV) contest 10, two, and one seat each. On the INDIA bloc side, JMM has fielded candidates in 43 seats, Congress in 30, RJD in six, and CPI(ML) in four. What to Expect The state’s political landscape hangs in the balance, with exit polls predicting a tight race. According to CNN-News18 Poll of Polls, the NDA is projected to win around 40 seats, while the INDIA bloc is forecasted to secure 37. Others are expected to win four seats. Security has been heightened at counting centers, with strong rooms fortified with surveillance and security personnel. “Observers have been appointed for each constituency, and candidates or their agents are encouraged to keep a close watch on the process,” an Election Commission official added. The results will not only shape the future of Jharkhand’s governance but also reflect broader political trends as India approaches the 2024 general elections. Stay tuned for live updates as the votes are counted and the winners are declared. With inputs from PTI

BARSTOW, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Anthony Tucker has been reunited with his family after being missing for nearly two months. The search for Anthony, who disappeared on October 20, 2024, from Stateline, NV, concluded with emotional joy and relief on December 7, when he was located safe in San Francisco. Kirsten Martinez, a family member, expressed gratitude on social media, stating, “He is home!!!! Thank you everyone for all your thoughts, prayers, shares, etc. He is safe and home.. PRAISE GOD!!!” Marley Anderson, another family member, took to TikTok to share a touching photos of the reunion. In her post, she wrote, “After almost 2 months the wait is finally over. We drove 7.5 hrs to get my brother that went missing. If anyone has any information or saw him along the way, please reach out to me; any info will help us piece together how he got so far.” The family is now focused on understanding the circumstances surrounding Anthony’s extended absence while feeling immense relief at having him back home. As they piece together the details, they are thankful for the outpouring of support and love from the community, which played a crucial role in keeping hope alive during their search. No further details were immediately available.Hacker scores 21, Bellarmine beats NAIA Brescia 94-66

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — For a pair of lower-level downhill events, this sure had plenty of Olympic medal-capturing and World Cup-winning ski racers. The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races in nearly six years. Vonn wasn't particularly speedy and finished in the middle of the pack on a cold but sunny day at Copper Mountain. Times and places weren't the mission, though, as much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit this season. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races that she had enough points to enter World Cup events. The timing couldn't be more perfect — the next stop on the women's circuit is Beaver Creek, Colorado, in a week. Vonn, who used to own a home in nearby Vail, hasn't committed to any sort of timetable for a World Cup return. “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” Vonn wrote on X. “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.” Lindsey Vonn reacts after her run at a downhill skiing race at Copper Mountain Ski Resort on Saturday in Copper Mountain, Colo. Her competition — a veritable who's who of high-profile ski racers — applauded her efforts. “I don't expect her to come back and win — just that she comes back and she has fun,” said Federica Brignone of Italy, a former overall World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist. “She's having fun, and she’s doing what she loves. That’s the best thing that she could do.” In the first race on a frigid morning, Vonn wound up 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds posted by Mirjam Puchner of Austria. In her second race through the course later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who finished in 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning season-long World Cup downhill champion. “It’s really nice to compare with her again, and nice to have her (racing) again,” Huetter said. “For sure, for the skiing World Cup, we have a lot of more attention. It's generally good for all racers because everyone is looking.” Also in the field were Nadia Delago of Italy, who won a bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Puchner, the Olympic silver winner in super-G in Beijing. In addition, there was Marta Bassino of Italy, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships, and two-time Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland. “For me, it was really a training, but it was fun to have a World Cup race level right here,” Gisin said. “It was a crazy race.” Vonn remains a popular figure and took the time after each run to sign autographs for young fans along with posing for photos. Lindsey Vonn competes in a downhill skiing race at Copper Mountain Ski Resort on Saturday in Copper Mountain, Colo. When she left the sport, Vonn had 82 World Cup race victories, which stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. Vonn’s last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist left the circuit still near the top of her game. But all the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. She had a partial knee replacement last April and felt good enough to give racing another shot. “It's very impressive to see all the passion that Lindsey still has,” Gisin said. Also racing Saturday was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who once competed for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was the next racer behind Vonn and they got a chance to share a moment between a pair of 40-somethings still racing. “I was like, ‘Give me some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a highway tuck, the whole thing.’ Then she’s like, ‘It’s just like the good old days.’" Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG purchased a new position in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. ( NYSE:IFF – Free Report ) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 16,580 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,740,000. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pictet North America Advisors SA grew its holdings in International Flavors & Fragrances by 3.1% in the 3rd quarter. Pictet North America Advisors SA now owns 3,275 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $344,000 after buying an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC lifted its stake in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 5,720 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $600,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC lifted its stake in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,540 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $686,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Summit Trail Advisors LLC lifted its stake in International Flavors & Fragrances by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Summit Trail Advisors LLC now owns 2,471 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $236,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Orca Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in International Flavors & Fragrances by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Orca Investment Management LLC now owns 21,266 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $2,231,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. 96.02% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts recently issued reports on IFF shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on International Flavors & Fragrances from $110.00 to $107.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Vertical Research raised International Flavors & Fragrances from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $109.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Bank of America raised International Flavors & Fragrances from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $107.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 8th. UBS Group increased their price target on International Flavors & Fragrances from $108.00 to $111.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their price target on International Flavors & Fragrances from $116.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, International Flavors & Fragrances currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $109.27. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Yuvraj Arora sold 5,000 shares of International Flavors & Fragrances stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.75, for a total transaction of $458,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,238 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $297,086.50. The trade was a 60.69 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. International Flavors & Fragrances Stock Up 1.1 % IFF opened at $90.81 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 2.62 and a quick ratio of 1.93. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $99.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $98.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.22 billion, a P/E ratio of -9.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.22. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. has a 12 month low of $72.94 and a 12 month high of $106.77. International Flavors & Fragrances ( NYSE:IFF – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.08 by ($0.46). The business had revenue of $2.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.83 billion. International Flavors & Fragrances had a negative net margin of 20.33% and a positive return on equity of 7.16%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.89 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. will post 4.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. International Flavors & Fragrances Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 8th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.76%. International Flavors & Fragrances’s dividend payout ratio is presently -17.60%. About International Flavors & Fragrances ( Free Report ) International Flavors & Fragrances Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cosmetic active and natural health ingredients for use in various consumer products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Nourish, Health & Biosciences, Scent, and Pharma Solutions. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for International Flavors & Fragrances Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Flavors & Fragrances and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Musk-Altman Rivalry Intensifies With Trump's Appointment of David SacksQuarterback Teddy Bridgewater is coming out of retirement to rejoin the Detroit Lions, coach Dan Campbell confirmed Thursday. Bridgewater, 32, appeared in one game (three snaps) for the Lions last season. He announced his retirement in February and spent the 2024 season coaching his alma mater Miami Northwestern High School to a Class 3A Florida state championship. A first-round pick by Minnesota in 2014 and a Pro Bowl selection with the Vikings in 2015, Bridgewater also played for the New Orleans Saints (2018-19), Carolina Panthers (2020), Denver Broncos (2021) and Miami Dolphins (2022) before joining the Lions in 2023. Bridgewater owns a 33-32 record as a starting quarterback, completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 15,120 yards with 75 touchdowns and 47 interceptions in 79 games. He has also rushed for 844 yards and 11 scores. He would provide experience and depth behind starter Jared Goff as the Lions (13-2) chase the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs. Hendon Hooker, a third-round pick in 2023, is Goff's current backup. Campbell told reporters Thursday that Bridgewater adds "professionalism" to the roster going into the postseason. Campbell said the move is not due to a lack of confidence in Hooker, adding that the playoffs are "a different world." The Lions also waived veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander on Thursday. Alexander played in two games for the Lions since being signed off the Denver Broncos' practice squad in late November. He had four tackles. Earlier this season, Alexander had eight tackles in three games (two starts) for the Broncos. Alexander, 30, has played for seven teams in 10 seasons since entering the NFL in 2015. He was a Pro Bowl selection for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017. Alexander has had injury issues throughout his career, including a torn ACL in 2018 with the Buccaneers, a torn pectoral with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019, a torn right Achilles in 2020 with the New Orleans Saints and a torn left Achilles in 2023 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Overall, Alexander has 643 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, nine interceptions - including one pick-six -- and six fumble recoveries in 109 games (92 starts). Detroit also signed linebacker DaRon Gilbert to the practice squad. He split his college career between Lafayette and Northern Illinois. Detroit visits San Francisco (6-9) on Monday night before ending the regular season with an NFC North showdown against the Minnesota Vikings (13-2) in Week 18. --Field Level Media