90+jili Social media firms raise 'serious concerns' over Australian U-16 ban

World junior roundup: Finland bounces back with 3-1 win over GermanySyracuse, Albany each hoping to get right at expense of the otherSyracuse, Albany each hoping to get right at expense of the other

SHAFTSBURY — The Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District Board ( ) voted recently to direct school principals to have the Pledge of Allegiance recited every day inside the school building. “The SVUESD board of directors directs the pledge of allegiance is to be recited on each school day inside the building before instructional time starts,” states the motion adopted by the board 5-1, with one abstention. The SVUESD discussion of the issue at a meeting on Dec. 17 took place under a time constraint because of the need to devote most the meeting to reviewing the district budget. The meeting was originally scheduled for Dec. 10 but did not take place due to the lack of a quorum. The Pledge issue came to the forefront in late September when the claim went viral on social media that Shaftsbury Elementary School had instituted a ban on the Pledge of Allegiance. Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union Superintendent James R. Culkeen quickly issued a statement denying that the pledge was banned and saying the SVUESD would work to develop a "consistent practice" regarding recital of the Pledge of Allegiance. In November, the board sent a draft practice on saying the Pledge to school principals to get feedback on how it worked in practice. The intent was to have a group recital of the pledge in a common area at each school right before the start of school. Student participation would be voluntary. Feedback to the Board from building principals would be anonymous but mandatory. At the Dec. 17 meeting, SVUESD Board Chair Christopher Murphy said that principals did not find this a workable option. “The feedback from the building principals that was shared with me by the superintendent was I think much what we anticipated: It’s not doable," he said. "The feedback we received was more or less unanimous from our building principals that the hope that they could organize, school-wide, what amounts to a school-wide gathering, each and every day, for the purpose of the Pledge is not doable. “So what the general request was from our building principals was if this board wishes the Pledge of Allegiance to be said during the school day, just like every other thing that the board wishes to be done, we give the directive to our principals and we empower our principals to enact the directive in the way that makes most sense for their schools,” he said. Murphy said that until recently there had never been a directive to the schools on whether or not the Pledge should be said. He suggested someone make a motion that directs the building principals to ensure that the Pledge of Allegiance is said each day in the school buildings. It would be left up to the principals to implement it. Board members raised several concerns during the discussion, including the exact definition of when instructional time starts. Two members expressed preference for the pledge to be said in classrooms. Cynthia Brownell said she has been on the board 23 years ‘and they’ve never had a problem saying the pledge in the classroom.” Murphy replied: “Do we know that to be a fact, Cindy? Because I don’t know that to be a fact.” “It has been done differently in all of the elementary schools of the SVUESD, when it’s been done at all," he added. "There are different things happening in each of our schools, and I know that I can say with any certainty that it’s definitely happened in a very specific way in all of our schools since forever, because I don’t know that to be the case.” Before the vote, Murphy acknowledged the difficulty in coming up with a directive that would please everyone: “I think it’s one of those situations where I’m unable to envision a solution that addresses all of the concerns that this board has raised and members of the public have raised, frankly.” The SVUESD is responsible for the prekindergarten through grade 6 classes in Pownal, Shaftsbury, Woodford, and pre-kindergarten through grade 5 in the town of Bennington.

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Nathan Aspinall reckons rockstar darts smells of Guns N'Roses. The Stockport slinger feels like one of the superstar snooker stars of the 1980s. But in the day, boys like Jimmy White and Alex Higgins were celebrities beyond their sport mixing with musicians and film stars. Now it's the darts lads who are centre of attention as the sport blossoms. Aspinall feels it and said: "Snooker players in the 80s were hanging around with Guns N' Roses, they were rockstars, right? I do believe that we are the snooker players of the 80s. Everyone wants a piece of a dart player. Everyone loves darts and, yes, it's come from Luke Littler, but Luke Littler is a 17-year-old kid. The other lads, myself, Michael Smith, Gezzy Price, they're the ones they can get close up to. I might be out in Manchester on a Friday night and, oh my god, it's mental. It's unbelievable, but you've got to look at it in a positive light. "Wow, darts is that popular. I've never thought I was a celebrity until this year. But I am. And people love meeting me, love having pictures, but yeah it's tough. "I'm good mates with the guys from Blossoms, I went to school with them. I think the only difference is the fact it's all about social media nowadays isn't it? "What Luke [Littler] and Luke [Humphries] have done...NEW YORK (AP) — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * NEW YORK (AP) — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NEW YORK (AP) — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year,” Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Change your relationship with money Think about how you currently deal with finances — what’s good, what’s bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there’s shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it’s time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. Know your “why” When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it’s important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you’re saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. Budget, budget, budget “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. “Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year.” McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. Pay down outstanding debt “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. Take control of your credit card interest rate “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do,” said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. Set realistic, practical goals When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma’s Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you’ll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. Don’t ‘flamingo’ or bury your head in the sand “You can’t manage what you can’t see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025,” said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that’s one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers’ credit scores. Automate savings, where possible Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Slow down Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams. A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Focus on financial wellness Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution,” said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. “Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said. —— The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism. Advertisement Advertisement

SAN FRANCISCO – Even in the face of their otherwise excellent start, the Warriors on Monday night endured the same lesson they’ve been enduring so often this season. Can’t say they’ve learned that lesson, as failures still are too frequent. Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7 The recipe to Golden State’s 128-120 loss to the Brooklyn Nets included one part of their typically poor free-throw shooting, one part unusually indifferent defense and – what surely is the most maddening – four parts of voluntary charity. The surest way to compromise any defense is by giving the opponent live-ball turnovers. “It’s impossible to defend it,” said Stephen Curry, who committed three turnovers. “And that can decide a game. We won the possession game, got 10 more shots than they did. Almost the same amount of threes (19 to Brooklyn’s 20). They got 15 more free-throw makes. But that 14 points on easy buckets or easy possessions, whether it’s them knocking down transition threes or getting to the basket, there’s no defense for it.” The Warriors handed out 13 turnovers, not a horrible number. What was damaging is that those turnovers gave Brooklyn 26 points and essentially paved a path to Golden State’s first back-to-back defeats this season – both of which came after coughing up large third-quarter leads. They led by 17 inside the final two minutes of the third quarter at San Antonio on Saturday and lost by 10 . They led by 18 with less than seven minutes remaining in the third quarter Monday and lost by eight before a sellout crowd (18,064) at Chase Center. The Nets began their surge over those final seven minutes and continued until the final buzzer. They outscored the Warriors 60-34 over the final 19 minutes. “We’ve generally done a better job of taking care of the ball, for the most part,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Thirteen turnovers [are] not a bad number, but they scored every time off them. There were some bad ones that really hurt; they were kind of automatic conversations. The ones that we had really took our momentum away, so we’ve just got to keep getting better.” The Warriors are averaging 14.6 turnovers per game, roughly the same as last season (14.3). The league has changed such that they were 23rd in turnovers last season yet have climbed to 15th-best this season. This is, however, the fifth game this season in which their donations have given opponents at least 20 points. The Nets scored 10 points off turnovers in the third quarter, which they closed with a 21-6 run. Much of what fueled their comeback can be attributed to Golden State’s live-ball turnovers. “We can’t set up our defense,” Gary Payton II explained. “At that point, we’re scrambling around. And if we’re scrambling, somebody is going to be open at some point and they get a good look. And teams are hitting them. “If we take away the live turnovers and get back on defense, I’d like our chances with our set defense.” By the time the Warriors reduced their live-ball turnovers, the energy had gone to the Nets, who scored five more gift points while finishing the Warriors in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn after halftime shot 56.1 percent from the field, including 45.5 percent from distance. That’s successive games in which the Warriors staggered toward the finish. The Warriors sit in second place in the Western Conference. They have an impressive 12-5 record. Yet even with their revamped roster, they’re displaying disturbing shades of last season, which ended with them trudging into an offseason without playoffs. “You don’t want to overreact, right?” Kerr said. “Two games ago, everyone was feeling great. We were 12-3. We’ve had big leads in late third in both games. We have to address what’s happened in these last two games. I don’t think it’s a fatigue thing. I think it’s an execution thing. “We need to execute better, and that’s on me as the coach,” he added. “We’ll get them in here tomorrow for a practice, which we need, and we’ll get back to executing better. Giving up 41 in the fourth, that’s tough to overcome.” Practice will, without a doubt, focus on execution. There also will be sufficient time to practice free throws. Either the Warriors will curb their tendency to give free money to opponents, or their impressive first month will be a distant memory – or a wistful game of “If Only” – when confronting the final weeks of the regular season. Download and follow the Dubs Talk PodcastMcMahon Family Member May Return to WWEThe S&P 500 fell less than 0.1% after spending the day wavering between small gains and losses. The tiny loss ended the benchmark index’s three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1% and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as US markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.2%. Meta Platforms fell 0.7%, and Amazon and Netflix each fell 0.9%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, finishing 1.8% lower. Some tech companies fared better. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.4%, Micron Technology added 0.6% and Adobe gained 0.5%. Health care stocks were a bright spot. CVS Health rose 1.5% and Walgreens Boots Alliance added 5.3% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 3%, Ross Stores added 2.3%, Best Buy rose 2.9% and Dollar Tree gained 3.8%. Traders are watching to see whether retailers have a strong holiday season. The day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. US-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4.1% and 16.4% respectively. The Japanese car makers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. All told, the S&P 500 fell 2.45 points to 6,037.59. The Dow added 28.77 points to 43,325.80. The Nasdaq fell 10.77 points to close at 20,020.36. Wall Street also got a labour market update. US applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labour Department reported. Treasury yields mostly fell in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 4.58% from 4.59% late on Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar.