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Google CEO Pichai tells employees to gear up for big 2025: ‘The stakes are high'

Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next CHICAGO (AP) — As Donald Trump’s Cabinet begins to take shape, those on both sides of the abortion debate are watching closely for clues about how his picks might affect reproductive rights policy in the president-elect’s second term . Christine Fernando, The Associated Press Dec 9, 2024 12:52 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage before speaking at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Greenvale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) CHICAGO (AP) — As Donald Trump’s Cabinet begins to take shape, those on both sides of the abortion debate are watching closely for clues about how his picks might affect reproductive rights policy in the president-elect’s second term . Trump’s cabinet picks offer a preview of how his administration could handle abortion after he repeatedly flip-flopped on the issue on the campaign trail. He attempted to distance himself from anti-abortion allies by deferring to states on abortion policy, even while boasting about nominating three Supreme Court justices who helped strike down the constitutional protections for abortion that had stood for half a century. In an NBC News interview that aired Sunday, Trump said he doesn't plan to restrict medication abortion but also seemed to leave the door open, saying “things change.” “Things do change, but I don't think it's going to change at all,” he said. The early lineup of his new administration , including nominations to lead health agencies, the Justice Department and event the Department of Veterans Affairs, has garnered mixed — but generally positive — reactions from anti-abortion groups. Abortion law experts said Trump's decision to include fewer candidates with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement could indicate that abortion will not be a priority for Trump's administration. “It almost seems to suggest that President Trump might be focusing his administration in other directions," said Greer Donley, an associate law professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Karen Stone, vice president of public policy at Planned Parenthood Action Fund , said while many of the nominees have “extensive records against reproductive health care,” some do not. She cautioned against making assumptions based on Trump's initial cabinet selections. Still, many abortion rights groups are wary, in part because many of the nominees hold strong anti-abortion views even if they do not have direct ties to anti-abortion activists. They're concerned that an administration filled with top-level officials who are personally opposed to abortion could take steps to restrict access to the procedure and funding. After Trump’s ambiguity about abortion during his campaign, "there’s still a lot we don’t know about what policy is going to look like," said Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law. That approach may be revealed as the staffs within key departments are announced. Trump announced he would nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department, which anti-abortion forces have long targeted as central to curtailing abortion rights nationwide. Yet Kennedy shifted on the issue during his own presidential campaign. In campaign videos, Kennedy said he supports abortion access until viability , which doctors say is sometime after 21 weeks, although there is no defined timeframe. But he also said “every abortion is a tragedy” and argued for a national ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a stance he quickly walked back. The head of Health and Human Services oversees Title X funding for a host of family planning services and has sweeping authority over agencies that directly affect abortion access, including the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The role is especially vital amid legal battles over a federal law known as EMTALA, which President Joe Biden’s administration has argued requires emergency abortion access nationwide, and FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. Mini Timmaraju, president of the national abortion rights organization Reproductive Freedom for All, called Kennedy an “unfit, unqualified extremist who cannot be trusted to protect the health, safety and reproductive freedom of American families.” His potential nomination also has caused waves in the anti-abortion movement. Former Vice President Mike Pence , a staunch abortion opponent, urged the Senate to reject Kennedy’s nomination. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said the group had its own concerns about Kennedy. “There’s no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary," she said. Fox News correspondent Marty Makary is Trump’s pick to lead the FDA, which plays a critical role in access to medication abortion and contraception. Abortion rights groups have accused him of sharing misinformation about abortion on air. Russell Vought , a staunch anti-abortion conservative, has been nominated for director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought was a key architect of Project 2025 , a right-wing blueprint for running the federal government. Among other actions to limit reproductive rights, it calls for eliminating access to medication abortion nationwide, cutting Medicaid funding for abortion and restricting access to contraceptive care, especially long-acting reversible contraceptives such as IUD’s. Despite distancing himself from the conservative manifesto on the campaign trail, Trump is stocking his administration with people who played central roles in developing Project 2025. Trump acknowledged that drafters of the report would be part of his incoming administration during the Sunday interview with NBC News, saying “Many of those things I happen to agree with.” “These cabinet appointments all confirm that Project 2025 was in fact the blueprint all along, and the alarm we saw about it was warranted,” said Amy Williams Navarro, director of government relations for Reproductive Freedom for All. Dr. Mehmet Oz , Trump’s choice to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is a former television talk show host who has been accused of hawking dubious medical treatments and products. He voiced contradictory abortion views during his failed Senate run in 2022. Oz has described himself as “strongly pro-life, praised the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade , claimed “life starts at conception” and referred to abortion as “murder.” But he also has echoed Trump’s states-rights approach, arguing the federal government should not be involved in abortion decisions. “I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that’s always allowed our nation to thrive to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves,” he said during a Senate debate two years ago. An array of reproductive rights groups opposed his Senate run. As CMS administrator, Oz would be in a key position to determine Medicaid coverage for family planning services and investigate potential EMTALA violations. As Florida’s attorney general, Pam Bondi defended abortion restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period. Now she’s Trump’s choice for attorney general . Her nomination is being celebrated by abortion opponents but denounced by abortion rights groups concerned she may revive the Comstock Act , an anti-vice law passed by Congress in 1873 that, among other things, bans mailing of medication or instruments used in abortion. An anti-abortion and anti-vaccine former Florida congressman, David Weldon, has been chosen to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which collects and monitors abortion data across the country. Former Republican congressman Doug Collins is Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs amid a political battle over abortion access and funding for troops and veterans. Collins voted consistently to restrict funding and access to abortion and celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade. “This is a team that the pro-life movement can work with," said Kristin Hawkins, president of the national anti-abortion organization Students for Life. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here . The AP is solely responsible for all content. Christine Fernando, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Health Man in custody had a gun, mask and writings tying him to killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, police say Dec 9, 2024 1:22 PM Saskatchewan hockey player recovering after neck gashed by skate during game Dec 9, 2024 12:26 PM The Latest: Police in Pennsylvania question a man over the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO Dec 9, 2024 12:20 PMNHTSA finally releases new rules for self-driving cars — but there’s a twist

Top professional Dr. Amal K.L. Illesinghe has been appointed to the Board of Bank of Ceylon as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Illesinghe is an experienced and a highly qualified Banking Professional with over 35 years of experience in Information and Communication technology. During this tenure, 28 years has been in the Banking and Financial sector which he served at National Savings Bank and People’s Bank in Sri Lanka and 20 years served in the Corporate and Executive management positions gaining a wealth of experience in Strategic Management and latest Information and Communication Technology. He retired from National Savings Bank in October 2024 and currently, he is working as the Secretary of CSSL and Executive Council Member of OPA. His knowledge and experience in the banking sector combined with vision and guidance helped to transform National Savings Bank from traditional banking platform to the state-of-the-art technology to improve operation of the bank. He finished his secondary education from Richmond College Galle and completed the Bachelor Degree (Hons) in Mathematics and Statistics from University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Technology from Institute of Computer Technology, University of Colombo, Master of Science in Information Technology from University of Colombo School of Computing, Master of Business Administration from University of Kelaniya. He also obtained his PhD Doctorate in Informatics in 2019 from University of Science and Technology, Malaysia. He won the CIO of the year 2021 organised by CSSL and Dynamic CIO award twice in 2020 and 2021 awarded by Digital Maestros Awards. Further, Dr. Illesinghe served as the Board member of National Youth Service Council, Secretary of the Bank CIO forum, Member of the Electronic Payment System Implementation Committee, Member of the National Payment Council, Member of CBSL appointed LankaQR Implementation Committee and Shared KYC implementation based on Blockchain Technology Committee. He is a Member of British Computer Society (BCS), Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL), Organisation of Professional Association (OPA) and Association of Professional Bankers (APB).The Last Supper Áine Fitzgerald Managing Editor At 1:25am on Sunday, the atmosphere on the second floor at Limerick Racecourse was thick with anticipation - and tiredness - as Niall Collins, FF, awaited the declaration that he had retained his seat. Towards the far end of the room, a scene was unfolding, naturally. ‘The Last Supper’ or, in this instance, ‘The Last Seat’. You couldn’t plan the composition of this masterpiece if you tried. You have Niall Collins positioned at the centre, akin to Jesus, surrounded by his supporters, who take on the roles of apostles. Collins sits slightly elevated, prominent amid the surrounding figures. Behind him, a person, crouched, forms what seems to be a crown-like halo around his head. On the far left (as opposed to centre-right), a bottle of water and a brown paper bag - remnants of someone else's last supper - create an ornate pillar effect. The expressions on the faces of those in the frame tell their own unique story - conveying the weariness and tension that had set in after all the long hours of waiting. Unlike the original Last Supper, however, two mobile phones are visible, their users quite possibly checking the time as they await the final result. Finally, at 2:09am, Niall Collins was elected to the final seat in Limerick County and the subjects in The Last Seat lifted him shoulder high. Finishing line Jerome O’Connell News editor THE next big event at Limerick Racecourse will be the four-day Christmas Racing Festival from December 26-29. No doubt the annual festive event will have just as much drama as the two-day General Election count at the Patrickswell venue. The countdown to the Christmas Racing Festival is well underway for Michael Lynch, CEO of Limerick Racecourse, and his team, and as part of preparations the post to mark the finishing line in front of the grandstand is in storage. With rumours of legal challenges in relation to the alphabetical error on the ballot paper, and of a potential recount due to the closeness of the Limerick City constituency candidates down the home stretch, all were hoping on Sunday that the lack of a post to mark the finishing line wasn’t an omen! An epic quest to have a City seat filled by midnight Faye Dorgan Reporter AS THE CLOCK edged towards midnight on Saturday, waiting for the final election count to get the first candidate over the line in the city felt a bit like reading Game of Thrones - battling tiredness while keeping a close eye on the rivalry between the chief protagonists. Limerick Racecourse turned into a political Westeros, with candidates vying for the Iron Seat - or at least a plush velvet one in the Dáil. One punter decided to pass the time by reading Game of Thrones as they waited, seeking solace in fictional feuds. “Winter is coming,” someone muttered, in a chilly count centre on the edge of Patrickswell. Counts came in slower than ravens, the suspense thicker than Tyrion’s wit, as crowds battled with tiredness that inevitably kicked in. Eventually, cheers erupted as the first seat was filled by Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea, marking an election night triumph. Really cleaning up at the races Abigail Hayden Reporter AS THE hours ticked on in the county's mammoth of a count on Saturday, one group of clever entrepreueneurs made the waiting time worth it. Daithi and Cillian O'Donoghue, aged nine and 12, and Conor Kelly, 12, the great-nephews of newly re-elected Deputy Richard O'Donoghue, Independent Ireland, collected dozens of bottles and cans with the Re-Cycle logo. They collected recycling rubbish off count staff, supporters, and even Limerick Leader reporters. People were seen finishing off the dregs of their drinks as the three boys with the huge bin bag came around, to make sure their recycling waste added to the collection. After the re-election of their great-uncle, who praised them in his post-election interview, the three businessmen left the building with the rest of the family, along with two bulking bags of recycling. When asked about how much they had made, they coyly replied “over €20” - a greater profit than many leave the racecourse with! As these astute men know, the 15c deposit sure does add up! ‘I’ve never been so happy to be wrong about a prediction’ Nick Rabbitts Reporter LABOUR Party stalwart Joe Kemmy is something of an oracle when it comes to politics. Back in the summer, based on tallies alone, he correctly predicted John Moran would become Limerick’s first directly elected mayor, more than three days ahead of it actually happening. When Joe talks, people listen, especially where politics is concerned. So, on Saturday night, when he predicted that Labour’s Conor Sheehan was too far behind Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan to realistically catch her in the race for the fourth seat in Limerick City, I naturally put pen to paper. At the time, Cllr Sheehan was 391 votes behind Cllr O’Donovan. But he clawed back votes through Sunday, and secured the fourth seat on the last count. “I’ve never been happier about being wrong in a prediction in my whole life,” Joe beamed. Proof, if any were needed, that sometimes the greats get it wrong. Man in Black Donal O'Regan Reporter THERE were a number of senior gardai at the count centre - Superintendent Ollie Kennedy, Inspectors Gearoid Thompson, Fergal Hanrahan and Jimmy Ruddle to name but four - but there was also what appeared to be an FBI agent. He was straight out of the film Men in Black starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. Think black suit, white shirt, earpiece - all he was missing were the shades. He stood behind this reporter at a doorway on the second floor of Limerick Racecourse. I never felt safer. There was no chance of an irate supporter complaining that I had mixed up their candidate’s vote on the Leader’s blog. But, of course, he wasn’t there to mind this lowly hack - he was there to protect Minister Patrick O’Donovan. One photographer, unknowingly, asked him if he could take his photo - thinking he was just a random supporter in the crowd. Understandably, the response was a polite “no” from the man in black who gave a wry smile to himself after the photographer moved along. The only chance of Mr O’Donovan being hurt was a sprained wrist from receiving congratulatory handshakes or hitting his head on the ceiling when he was lifted high in the air but this chap wasn’t taking any chances. He watched everything. He went home happy as Mr O’Donovan is still in a job. As did a supporter of the Fine Gael man who was moving a lot better than the last time I saw her. The lady in question was on crutches at the mayoral and council count in June after breaking her ankle. She came a cropper while rounding up ducks. However, she was flying it on Saturday, much like Mr O’Donovan. ‘Lotto luck’ for reporter Nick Rabbitts Reporter I HAVE been playing the lottery since I came to Ireland in 2008, and have very rarely ever won anything. Despite this, I carry on spending €6 twice a week on a ticket, ignoring criticism that it is a tax on hope, and there is more chance of my beloved Tottenham Hotspur Football Club winning a title than me landing the jackpot. (Soccer fans, if you know, you know!) But, on Saturday night, peering at a colleague’s laptop which was tuned into RTE One, I caught the lottery results. And my numbers came up! Well four of them did - three regular numbers and the bonus ball - landing me a very welcome €29. It gave me a nice lift in the middle of a very busy election count, and felt like proof - if ever any is needed - that consistency can pay off! For the record, my numbers are 4, 7, 14, 24, 39 and 45!

Romanian Constitutional Court Cancels Presidential ElectionWhat Are Coin Mixers?

B.C. minister wants new safety plan for Victoria schools, threatens board removal VICTORIA — British Columbia Education Minister Lisa Beare has appointed a special adviser to help the Victoria school board "revise and improve" its safety plan after it barred police from schools except in emergencies. Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press Dec 6, 2024 12:33 PM Dec 6, 2024 12:50 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message B.C. Education Minister Lisa Beare speaks at an event in Maple Ridge, B.C., Oct. 7, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck VICTORIA — British Columbia Education Minister Lisa Beare has appointed a special adviser to help the Victoria school board "revise and improve" its safety plan after it barred police from schools except in emergencies. Beare says former Abbotsford, B.C., school superintendent Kevin Godden will help with the changes, and if a plan isn't reached by Jan. 6, she will consider using the School Act to replace the current school board. Police haven't been allowed at district schools except in special circumstances since last year, and the board says it based that decision on reports that some students and teachers — particularly those who are Indigenous or people of colour — don't feel safe with officers in schools. Victoria police Chief Del Manak has repeatedly criticized the board's decision, citing concerns that include increased gang activity in schools. Ongoing public objections by youth counsellors and area First Nations to the removal of police from schools prompted the Education Ministry to order the board to come up with a new safety plan in August. However, the ministry says in a statement that the plan submitted by the school board was not approved after an independent review involving discussions with First Nations, local police chiefs, the parent advisory council and the board's trustees. Theresa Campbell, CEO of the group Safer Schools Together, says in the statement that the district's plan did support some high-risk vulnerable youth and staff training, but didn't address the key aspects of a comprehensive safety plan. "Proactive safety plans must include strong relationships and collaboration with law enforcement, First Nations and other community partners. There is also a need for more specificity regarding safety strategies, protocols and processes," she says in the statement. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Indigenous News Trudeau, ministers and opposition leaders address AFN gathering in Ottawa Dec 6, 2024 6:11 AM Canada's Arctic policy draws on international collaboration to face emerging threats Dec 6, 2024 6:00 AM Chief 'disappointed' to see clean water used as a political tactic by Conservatives Dec 5, 2024 5:42 PM

In a year brimming with technological advancements, from Apple's first-ever mixed reality headset to the modern-day space race that is artificial intelligence , one particular niche of products saw its mainstream aspirations realized: smart rings. According to IDC , global ring sales were estimated at 880,000 units in 2023. This year, the market research firm is forecasting a rise to 1.7 million units, with an even larger spike of 3.2 million units in 2025. As consumers continue to find ways to dial into their health and well-being, the burdenless form factors of smart rings are slowly but surely chipping away market share from fitness trackers, bands, and smartwatches. The uptick in new smart rings at CES 2024 was our first indication. Also: We've entered the era of the smart ring. Here's why it will shake up the wearables market While the smart ring category was validated by the arrival of its first major tech vendor with Samsung's Galaxy Ring -- as well as by exciting new entrants such as Ultrahuman , and the Movano Evie -- the Oura Ring 4 stands out as a beacon of seamless integration between advanced health tracking technology and everyday wellness. It's this rare synergy of hardware and software, chased with actionable insights that lead to meaningful life changes , that earn the Oura Ring 4 the top spot on ZDNET's best smart rings list -- and recognition as ZDNET's Product of the Year for 2024. Oura Ring 4 The Oura Ring 4 offers impressive upgrades across the board, making it more comfortable, useful, and competitive than ever. How did the Oura Ring 4 win out among all the products released this year? By playing to its strengths and, perhaps more importantly, timing. The release timeline of the Oura Ring 4 -- in early October -- turned out to be its greatest asset. Review: Oura Ring 4: The best smart ring I've tested this year While competitors like Samsung and Ultrahuman rushed to market, Oura kept itself relevant with frequent software updates , defending jabs with improvements to stress monitoring, women's health features, heart rate variability, and more. The counterpunch came when the Ring 4 launched this fall with a new design that outperformed competing wearables -- while listing for the same retail price as the previous Ring 3 . At a starting price of $349, the Oura Ring 4 introduced several hardware improvements: The internal sensors were now flushed for a more comfortable wearing experience. The ring was offered in more sizes, such as 4, 5, 14, and 15, making it more inclusive than ever. A new total of 18 signal pathways allowed the ring to gather more accurate health data. A larger battery capacity gave the ring a rated endurance of eight days. These changes were backed by a companion app that ZDNET's experts agree to be one of the more intuitive, user-centric, and helpful software experiences available. For example, sleep scores come paired with personalized recommendations, stress data is contextualized with mindfulness prompts, and activity tracking is tailored to individual readiness levels, accounting for every user's unique needs and health state. "Its ability to monitor vitals and use the data it collects to predict illness, contextualize wellness, and provide data used for a diagnosis puts the smart ring ahead of its many competitors," adds Nina Raemont , ZDNET's smart ring reviewer. Previous winner: ZDNET's product of the year: Meta Quest 3 is the quiet shocker of 2023 Still, there's one lingering question mark about the Oura Ring 4 and the company in general: subscription fees. While competitors have adopted subscription-less business models to upsell their smart rings, Oura continues to justify its $6 monthly charge with sustained innovation, cross-device compatibility, and enhanced value. For example, a Ring 3 owner might not have access to the enhanced sensors of the Ring 4, but they still benefit from updated sleep algorithms, stress-tracking features, and mindfulness tools introduced through the app. The Samsung Galaxy Ring sells for $399, with no additional subscription fee. The app's ability to make sense of complex health metrics, paired with its continuous updates, turns the Oura Ring from a simple gadget into a life-enhancing tool. For many users, that transformation justifies the monthly fee. For others, it's a primary reason to invest in a competing smart ring . Health tech has taken center stage in recent years, fueled by a growing awareness of how vital it is to monitor our physical and mental well-being. The demand for accessible, reliable, and insightful health tools has never been higher, and the Oura Ring 4 gets ZDNET's highest recommendation. Honorable mentions Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Frequent software updates - including the ability to process visual information live - and a timeless design have kept the now one-year-old Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses more relevant than ever. Samsung S95D OLED TV While it doesn't have the same visual fidelity as the LG G4 OLED, Samsung's S95D introduced a new anti-reflective display that greatly reduces glare without sacrificing much color and brightness. Hearing aid software in Apple AirPods Pro With improved audio and conversation boost features, Apple has bridged the gap between everyday tech and medical devices, making enhanced hearing more accessible and socially accepted. Google ImageFX (Imagen 3) Google's latest AI image generator tops ZDNET's list with high-resolution, hyper-realistic outputs. It even renders hands and fingers properly. If your Windows 10 PC can't be upgraded, you have 5 options before time runs out I test wearable tech for a living. These are my favorite products of 2024 The 4 easiest ways to test Linux on your old PC before Windows 10 support runs out Just installed iOS 18.2? Change these 4 iPhone settings for the best experience

As New York politicians split along partisan lines in their reactions to a jury’s acquittal of Daniel Penny on a charge of criminally negligent homicide Monday, Mayor Eric Adams walked a careful line down the middle. “Jordan should not have had to die,” Adams told reporters, referring to Jordan Neely, a Black homeless man who Penny, a white former Marine, put in a chokehold on the subway. Neely was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. “We have a mental health system that is broken,” Adams said. During his weekly City Hall press conference Monday, Adams said he respected the jury’s decision to find Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide, the lesser of his two counts, after the judge in the case dismissed Penny’s manslaughter charge last week. But the mayor declined to say whether he agreed with the verdict, reserving judgment on a case that polarized New Yorkers over issues of public safety, race, mental illness and homelessness. Throughout the case, the mayor has simultaneously acknowledged subway riders’ fears and the tragedy of Neely’s death. In May 2023, Penny held Neely in a chokehold on the floor of the F train for about six minutes. Arguments in the case centered on whether the chokehold killed Neely, and whether Penny was justified in his actions. On Monday, several Republicans openly cheered the outcome, while some progressive lawmakers and activists with social justice organizations including Black Lives Matter assailed the decision as showing a racist double-standard when it comes to acts of violence. “Does anyone doubt that if the roles were reversed, and a white former Marine in a moment of crisis was choked to death by a Black homeless man, there would have been a different outcome?” Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said in a statement. The Rev. Al Sharpton, a critical ally of the mayor who has publicly supported the Neely family, described Penny’s chokehold as “unnecessary vigilantism.” Others saw a different miscarriage of justice. Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, a Hudson Valley congressmember considering challenging Gov. Kathy Hochul in the 2026 election, wrote on X that “Daniel Penny never should have been charged.” Hochul herself struck a tone similar to Adams. "Now that the jury has spoken, we must respect their verdict and move forward," Hochul said in a statement. "This case was a tragic reminder of the mental health crisis that is hitting every corner of New York, and that's why I'll continue to fight for safer communities and better care." Adams, a former transit police officer who has made subway safety a priority of his administration, has often been hesitant to produce judgements on the case. But late last month, Adams defended Penny’s actions, saying that by stepping in, he did “what we should have done as a city.” Courtroom testimony from witnesses described Neely as shouting that he was hungry and thirsty and saying he wanted to hurt people and go to Rikers Island. Penny’s lawyer argued that Neely had said, “I will kill,” though one of the witnesses disputed that. “Now, we're on the subway where we're hearing someone talking about hurting people, killing people,” the mayor said during an interview on WOR with Rob Astorino, a conservative radio host. “You have someone on that subway who was responding, doing what we should have done as a city in a state of having a mental health facility.” When asked about his comments on Tuesday, the mayor said he meant to say that the city “should have been standing up for those passengers” and intervened in the mental health crisis before such an incident occurred. Adams is backing legislation in Albany that would make it easier for the city to transport those living on the street against their will to hospitals if they are unable to meet their “basic needs.” In a post on X , Tiffany Cabán, a progressive City Council member and former public defender, referred to Neely’s killing as a “lynching.” “Jordan Neely deserved better than the systems that allow for, and justify, extrajudicial white supremacist violence against Black people,” she wrote. Chi Ossé, another left-leaning council member, called the verdict “a capstone to a saga of tragedy in which the City could and should have intervened at countless points over the lifetime of Jordan Neely.” “He deserved to not be killed on the floor of a subway car,” he added. Meanwhile, Republican Queens City Council member Joann Ariola declared “JUSTICE!” “Daniel Penny is a hero,” Ariola wrote on X. “I am so happy to see that justice has prevailed today and that a good man was not punished for defending his fellow New Yorkers. Amazing news.” Update: This story has been updated with a comment from Gov. Kathy Hochul.Eagles rule out QB Jalen Hurts (concussion protocol) vs. Cowboys