The Progressive Conservative government has announced that it is bringing forward legislation to crack down on homeless encampments by giving municipalities new powers and funding to allow cities to disband them. But after weeks of floating — and defending — the possible use of the notwithstanding clause to allow cities to disband encampments, Ford is now saying it may not be necessary. At issue is a 2023 Ontario Superior Court decision involving the Region of Waterloo that forbids homeless encampment evictions when there is no other housing available. In a letter to the mayors who, at his behest , asked the premier to pass anti-encampment legislation using the notwithstanding clause, Ford wrote he is "confident" the measures contained in his proposed bill will be "common sense, practical and entirely aligned with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms . " But should the courts disagree on that last point, Ford said he would still use the controversial clause of the constitution to allow the legislation to override Charter rights for five years. "I do not expect the legislation will need to proactively invoke (the notwithstanding clause). However, should the courts interfere with our shared goal of effectively addressing and clearing out encampments using these enhanced tools, with your support, our government is fully prepared to use the Notwithstanding Clause," said Ford. In October, Ford expressed frustration when the 29-member Big City Mayors (OBSM) caucus watered down a motion put forward by Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall and Bradford Mayor James Leduc calling on the province to use the notwithstanding clause to allow individuals living in encampments with severe mental illnesses or addiction to be forced into treatment. He then called on the big city mayors to write him a letter asking them to "make sure that we move the homeless along." "And why don't they put in, 'use the notwithstanding clause,' or something like that," suggested Ford at the time. Fifteen mayors accepted what they called the premier's "invitation" and asked him to use the clause. There was backlash against the idea, with city councillors, civil rights organizations, shelter operators and legal community members all calling on Ford not to override the charter and evict encampment denizens with nowhere else for them to go. Ford hasn't articulated where he expects them to go if evicted either, but insisted the province is "going to make sure we find proper shelter for these people." The premier has been weighing his options, saying he was working with Waterloo Region Chair Karen Redman about appealing the 2023 court decision. Last week, he said that even if the province did use the notwithstanding clause, he would not force municipalities to pass bylaws to evict homelessness encampments. “If they want encampments in their community, so be it,” said Ford. Opponents of the use of the notwithstanding clause said they were "relieved" that Ford has agreed not to pre-emptively use it to insulate it from charter challenges, but found his threat to use the clause if the courts interfere with its implementation to be troubling as well. "We are deeply concerned with the declared intention of using the notwithstanding clause if the government disagrees with the outcome of court decisions," the Canadian Civil Liberties Association said in a statement. Constitutional lawyer and University of Ottawa professor, Martha Jackman, who was one of 450 members of the legal community who signed an open letter this week calling on Ford not to use the clause, agreed. "The premier seems to be holding Sec. 33 as a bit of a sword of Damocles hanging over any reaction to the legislation in the courts," she said while arguing that Ford's attacks on the courts are "extremely problematic." "The courts have been extremely deferential to government in these complex areas of socio-economic policy. From the point of view of many of us, the courts have been far too conservative. There's never been a situation where you could characterize in a Canadian court as too activist around, you know, encampments in particular." Jackman argues that the 2023 court decision doesn't require municipalities to provide adequate or safe housing to encampment dwellers — they just needs to have available shelter beds that are accessible to those being evicted. For instance, a shelter that requires clients to be sober would not be accessible to someone using drugs. While speaking to reporters at the legislature on Thursday, Mayor Nuttall argued that accessibility requirements can be the hurdle. "If an individual has a dog, we need to find a place right now that takes both, and sometimes that's not possible. Sometimes it's accessibility, with relation to some of the drug problems that those individuals are suffering from and not willing to go get help for," explained Nuttall. Jackman says it would be "fabulous" if Ford is correct and whatever legislation the government is about to propose is compliant with the Charter, but it is unclear how likely that is. Ford's letter states that the province is still finalizing the details of the new initiatives, and the descriptions of these new initiatives are a bit ambiguous. It promises "greater service manage accountability and alignment with provincial and local priorities" without providing any detail on the accountability mechanisms or priorities. The letter also proposes "New approaches to treatment and rehabilitation that prioritize pathways to recovery over incarceration," but it is unclear if that could include any involuntary mental health treatment for encampment dwellers that some mayors have been calling for. It also promises additional funding to create "more capacity in the shelter system," but adds that this will come with new "accountability measures to ensure these funds support dismantling encampments." "This is tricky of Doug Ford," said community worker and activist Diana Chan McNally on social media. "His government doesn't need to put the Notwithstanding Clause on the table; his government is making new funding for shelters contingent on evicting encampments. This is his workaround for the 2023 Waterloo ruling." The Trillium asked Ford's office to clarify all of these points but was told that more specific details would be available next week. The proposed bill will also "explicitly" prohibit public drug use and provide police with "new tools" to enforce this. There will also be "enhanced penalties for people who deliberately and continually break the law." Nuttall and other mayors are praising the premier's proposal, however. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said that "new legislation is necessary to help protect public safety and dismantle encampments" and that he understands Ford's decision to not use the notwithstanding clause. "We all agree that there is no perfect solution, and many nuances to consider. That’s what I’ve been advocating for all along," said Dilkens. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Paul Calandra was asked if the legislation will lead to a repeat of the controversial clearing of encampments a few years ago where police clashed with protesters when evicting encampments by force. "We want encampments gone," said Calandra. "We want people to be able to enjoy their parks again. We fully understand that many people who are in encampments are suffering from mental health and addictions."slot machine apk 。

OTTAWA — Parents of children who died because of online sexual extortion are urging MPs to act on online harms legislation. The online harms bill is among the legislation that's been blocked from moving forward for months due to a parliamentary privilege debate raging between the Liberals and Conservatives. The bill targets seven categories of online behaviour, from the non-consensual sharing of intimate images to content that can be used to bully a child, and would create a new Digital Safety Commission of Canada. Justice Minister Arif Virani announced plans to split the bill into two parts this week, heeding calls from critics to separate the more controversial hate speech provisions from the child exploitation components. But the bill still can't move forward until the privilege filibuster is over. Barbie Lavers, whose teenage son died by suicide after being extorted online over intimate images, told a House of Commons committee Thursday that she supports the online harms legislation. Lavers asked politicians from all parties to come to a temporary alliance and stop using children as political pawns to show "one party is more correct than the other." "The longer Bill C-63 remains a political issue, the more children we will lose. We beg you to please stop wasting time and do something to help save our children," she said. Carol Todd, whose daughter Amanda died by suicide due to online sextortion, told MPs it is hurtful to watch political arguments after waiting 12 years for legislation. The Conservatives say they won't end the filibuster until either the Liberals hand over unredacted documents related to misspending at a now-defunct green technology fund to the RCMP, or the NDP agrees to bring down the government. The Liberals need the support of an opposition party to end or pause the privilege debate, which the NDP did last week when it allowed the government to pass legislation to enact a temporary federal sales tax holiday. But the New Democrats say they, too, want the documents handed over and will not agree to end the debate entirely. Virani said the goal of breaking the legislation into two was "to find consensus amongst parliamentarians on the things that we can agree to immediately." Conservative justice critic Larry Brock called for Virani to "give up" on the bill and instead adopt a Conservative private member's bill tackling online harms. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, who introduced that bill, repeatedly put it forward as a superior alternative to the government's proposed legislation while questioning the witnesses at committee Thursday. Rempel Garner said her concern with the government bill is that it puts the social media platforms' responsibilities "into a regulator that hasn't been built and it gives online platforms the ability to wiggle out of this two, three, four years in the future." "I would direct your attention to C-412," she told Todd. The first part of the government bill, which Virani plans to prioritize, would create a new regulator to compel social media companies to outline how they plan to reduce the risks their platforms pose to users, particularly minors. It would also update rules around mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse material by internet service providers and some online services. Rempel Garner's bill would include measures modernizing the existing law against criminal harassment so a victim can ask a judge to force social media companies to identify someone who has repeatedly harassed them online. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian PressCardinals' Kyler Murray faces Patriots for 1st time since his ACL injury against them 2 years ago

Autumn Nations Series week 4 – UPDATED teams, talking points, Australian TV times and predictionsNot Purdy: 49ers hit Green Bay with backup QB, no BosaThere has been an update to the health of Black Bart, a classic star of the WWF (later WWE), WCW, and countless other promotions, and it is very, very unfortunate. I just spoke to Black Bart's wife in detail about his health. She gave me permission to report an update. She stated, "he's ready to meet his maker, so it's a win-win situation. When it's time to go to heaven, he knows where he's going." He is currently resting at home with... pic.twitter.com/78XVmiXD3c More News: WWE Reportedly Cancels Long-Running 'Tribute to the Troops' According to professional wrestling journalist Chris Featherstone, Black Bart is refusing chemotherapy for his reported stage 4 liver cancer and his wife Linda is making end-of-life preparations. "I just spoke to Black Bart's wife in detail about his health. She gave me permission to report an update," Featherstone's social media post stated. "She stated, 'he's ready to meet his maker, so it's a win-win situation. When it's time to go to heaven, he knows where he's going.'" Black Bart, born Richard Harris in Arkansas, began his wrestling career in the mid-1970s, initially using several ring names, including "Man Mountain Harris," "Hangman Harris," and "Hangman Ricky Harris," as he developed his wrestling persona. He gained significant attention in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he earned a reputation as a tough and intimidating competitor, wrestling for various regional promotions throughout his early years. In 1990, Black Bart made his debut for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), appearing in a dark match. His time in the WWF helped establish him as a recognizable name in the industry. Later, in 1991, he signed with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he became part of a stable known as "The Desperados", alongside Dutch Mantell and Deadeye Dick. In his later career, Black Bart transitioned into a coaching role, where he mentored future WWE star John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL). JBL would go on to become a key figure in WWE and is credited with originating the popular Tribute to the Troops event, an annual WWE tradition honoring the U.S. military . Featherstone's update regarding Black Bart's health says that although he is no longer going through therapy, he appears to be in good spirits. "He is currently resting at home with his wife Linda. He is refusing chemotherapy and his bladder has stopped working. Linda stated that he said that he felt so bad after the chemo, "each time he's done it, he's felt worse." He is no longer able to walk and is barely eating." "His weight dropped from 320 to 210, and his wife stated, "he's nothing but skin and bones now." She said that "he's prayed up and ready to go," and he is in good spirits. She expressed that instead of a memorial, Bart "wants a party" to celebrate his life and be remembered for how he was before getting terminally ill." "And ain't a DAGGUM thing you can do about it. 🙏🏾" For more on WWE and professional wrestling, head to Newsweek Sports .

emicide, or the killing of a woman or girl by a man, typically because of her gender, and other incidents of gender-based violence regularly make national and local headlines in the country. The problem seems to have worsened rapidly in recent years. Certainly news coverage of the issue has become more prevalent, thanks in part to wider access to the internet and social media in the country. The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) recorded 95 cases of femicide in the country in 2020. In the following two years, the figure rose to 237 then 307. Although the number of recorded femicides dropped last year to 159, many women’s rights groups believe that what they describe as “the most extreme form of gender-based violence” will never end if law enforcement remains apathetic about such cases, paving the way for recurring offenses. Often, when victims of gender-based violence seek help from the police, they are faced with resistance, convoluted procedures or, even worse, accusations that they brought the crimes upon themselves because of the way they dressed or behaved. Furthermore, a number of victims have reportedly experienced additional sexual offenses from police officers themselves when filing their reports. Whether you're looking to broaden your horizons or stay informed on the latest developments, "Viewpoint" is the perfect source for anyone seeking to engage with the issues that matter most. By registering, you agree with 's Please check your email for your newsletter subscription. In May, a member of the Tanjung Pandan Police in Bangka Belitung Islands, identified as Brig. AK, reportedly molested a junior high school student reporting an alleged rape by the caretaker of the orphanage where she had lived for two years. This is not the only case of sexual harassment by law enforcement officers, as each year, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) receives similar reports. This dire situation has stopped an unknowable number of victims from speaking up, leaving them open to repeated violence, often in their own homes and perpetrated by people within their close circles. Last year, Komnas Perempuan recorded approximately 290,000 instances of violence against women across the country, around 98 percent of which took place “in the domestic sphere”. The home, which should be a safe space for women, was main scene of such violence, the report noted. The United Nations’ gender equality and women’s empowerment body, known as UN Women, reported recently that 140 women and girls died every day at the hands of close relatives or partners, underlining the global crisis of gender-based violence and the urgent need for quick action. The UN Women report was published on Nov. 25 to coincide with the annual 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. The date was selected to honor the Mirabal sisters, three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were brutally murdered in 1960 by order of the country’s ruler. Fortunately, there is hope in Indonesia. Prevailing Indonesian regulations, such as the 2022 Sexual Violence Eradication Law and the 2004 Domestic Violence Eradication Law, have laid the foundations for the government and law enforcement to handle cases of violence against women, including by offering protection and assistance as soon as the victims file their reports. The 2022 law even calls for the establishment of regional technical management units for the protection of women and children, as well as integrated education and training for law enforcement on the handling of sexual violence cases. Problems, however, persist in the implementation of the laws and in the lack of commitment from authorities to give the victims proper consideration. Justice for victims of gender-based violence can only be achieved if all of their rights are fulfilled and the perpetrators are reliably held accountable and handed just punishments. We call for zero tolerance of gender-based violence, as well as for femicide to be distinguished from other forms murder in the country’s legal system to provide a greater deterrent effect.

The missing teenager who vanished in waters off NSW’s Central Coast on Christmas Eve has been identified as 15-year-old Luca Bennett. The teenager was playing with two other friends on rocks at North Avoca Beach when they were swept into the water just before 3pm on Tuesday. Two of the teens managed to get to shore safely however Bennett did not, with his friends alerting nearby lifeguards. A multi-agency search for the teenager commenced with the help of the Brisbane Water Police District, Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance, Surf Life Saving NSW, Marine Rescue NSW and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. The search resumed on Christmas Day, with emergency services crews seen searching near rocks and in the water on jet skis. The NSW Police Airwing was also seen circling the area. Despite the continued search for the teen, tributes have already begun popping up on social media for the talented young basketball player, who travelled to the US last year for a basketball camp. “Man I just saw you last week, it breaks my heart so much, 2025 was gonna big,” one friend wrote. “Had I known last week would be the last time I see you I would’ve embraced you. “My brother, I will see you again. I love you, I’ll always be here for your family, no matter what.” Another wrote: “Miss ya legend”. On Wednesday Inspector Benjamin Campbell of Brisbane Water Police District described the incident as “tragic”. “I feel for the family at this time of year,” he said. “It’s just a timely reminder of how dangerous the rocks can be around the ocean and how everyone has to be really careful.” The president of Central Coast branch of Surf Live Saving NSW Slattery said crews were hoping for a positive outcome. “Our message has been, and always will be, that the flagged locations are the safest place to swim,” he said. “If you are in need of help, that’s the closest resource that we can get to.” Anyone with information about the boy’s whereabouts has been urged to contact Brisbane Water Police or Crime Stoppers.

MAYBE NEXT YEAR Deloitte says the Southeast Asian initial public offerings market in general was tepid in 2024, with total capital raised reaching its lowest in nine years. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO Once, in the early months of 2024, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) made a bold move, targeting six initial public offerings (IPOs) for a total equity deal of P40 billion. And for a while there, the bourse seemed to be performing as analysts expected. In September, the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) even managed to charge into the bull territory and closed as high as 7,500 after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) started its long-awaited easing cycle. But now, the local stock barometer seems to have gone back to levels seen when the market was at its weakest in 2024. READ: 10 potential IPOs firing up stock market in 2025 From enjoying the view at its peak of 7,500, the PSEi is now settling near the bottom of its uphill climb after falling by around 12 percent in just two months. This downfall has made it less attractive for companies, particularly the big names, to pursue an IPO before the year ends. Global advisory firm Deloitte found in a report that the case was not confined to the Philippines alone. In fact, Deloitte says the Southeast Asian IPO market in general remained tepid in 2024, with the total capital raised reaching its lowest in nine years. The region saw 122 IPOs in the first 10 months of the year worth $3 billion. This is down from 163 IPOs in 2023 worth $5.8 billion. The Philippines did not fare well versus its neighbors: the country only saw three IPOs, while Malaysia accounted for 46 IPOs in the region. Indonesia had 39, and Thailand saw 29 companies go public. Manila’s three IPOs—OceanaGold Philippines Inc. in May, Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. in June, and NexGen Energy Corp. in July—totaled P11.86 billion in proceeds. The giants, such as the SM Group’s real estate investment trust and Ayala-backed e-wallet GCash, opted out of a 2024 IPO. PSE president Ramon Monzon himself admitted that the year was challenging for the bourse, citing high interest rates early in 2024 and the stock market’s resulting volatility as among the deterrents for IPO candidates. But why is it hard to make the market attractive for Philippine corporations? Wendy Estacio-Cruz, research head at Unicapital Securities Inc., notes that “several headwinds” emerged, including the political leadership shift in the United States. “This could affect the inflation trend due to potential tariffs. As a result, the US [Federal Reserve] and the BSP are now anticipating a slower pace of interest rate cuts, which dragged the index,” Cruz says in a message. As it is, the BSP cut rates for overnight borrowing thrice in 2024 for a total of 75 basis points to 5.75 percent. While there is room for three quarter-point rate cuts in 2025, experts say investors are still wary of US President-elect Donald Trump’s protectionist policies. “This year’s market narrative was shaped largely by a tug-of-war between persistent macro uncertainties and selective growth stories,” says Jayniel Carl Manuel, equities trader at Seedbox Securities Inc. Indeed, not all companies benefited from interest rate cuts. In its latest Philippine Market Strategy Report, COL Financial Group Inc. points out that listed companies grew slower in the first nine months of 2024 versus the previous year. During the period, these firms grew by 5 percent against 10.5 percent in the first quarter and 9.6 percent in the first semester. While property firms are usually among those that cheer lower borrowing costs, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators offset growth, according to Manuel. “With a shift in policy leading to their reduced footprint, that once-solid source of demand has faded, leaving developers to contend with high vacancy rates and cooling investor interest,” he adds. The COL report likewise notes that consumer firms “delivered the worst performance” among all the sectors due to high inflation. Banks had the opposite fate. As of the January to September period, nearly all banks listed on the PSE saw record-high earnings, with powerhouses BDO Unibank Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands and Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. all expecting to shatter their full-year record. But despite the sour turn of events in 2024, the PSE and experts alike are seeing a better 2025 ahead. Monzon says the anticipated easing inflation, interest rate cuts and the PSE’s upcoming products may be enough to entice investors back into equities. The President expects Philippine equities to grow next year despite high anxiety over the US elections. According to Monzon, they are targeting a 52-percent surge in capital raised from the market to P120 billion. Meanwhile, Cruz cautions that the PSEi may continue correcting “for some time.” “We recommend investors to keep some cash or assets in reserve, ready to take advantage of opportunities when market conditions improve,” she says. Still, Unicapital is keeping its 8,000 index target, driven by a projected 10-percent growth in corporate earnings. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Manuel adds: “As we step into 2025, a more optimistic tone may emerge. If inflation remains contained, reforms progress smoothly, and consumer sentiment picks up, then the property market’s excess inventories could gradually clear, reducing a key drag on investor sentiment.”

BETHLEHEM: Hundreds of people gathered at the Church of the Nativity in the holy city of Bethlehem on Tuesday to mark another solemn Christmas overshadowed by the war in Gaza. Missing for a second consecutive year were the festive decorations, and the crowd paled in comparison to the throngs of tourists and pilgrims of Christmases past — a reflection of the somber mood as the Zionist war in the Gaza Strip drags on. At Manger Square, the heart of the Palestinian city dominated by the revered church that marks the site where Christians believe Jesus Christ (PBUH) was born, a group of scouts held a small parade that broke the morning’s silence. “Our children want to play and laugh,” read a sign carried by one of them, as his friends whistled and cheered. The Zionist war in Gaza has left 45,338 people dead, mostly civilians. Traditionally in Bethlehem, a grand Christmas tree would light up Manger Square, but local authorities opted against elaborate celebrations for a second year. “This year we limited our joy,” Bethlehem mayor Anton Salman told AFP. Prayers, including the church’s famed midnight mass, will still be held in the presence of the Catholic Church’s Latin Patriarch, but the festivities will be of a more strictly religious nature than the festive celebrations the city once held. Despite the gloomy mood, some Christians in the Holy Land — who number about 185,000 in Israel and 47,000 in the Palestinian territories — are finding refuge in prayer. “Christmas is a feast of faith... We’re going to pray and ask God to end our suffering,” Salman said. In a message to Christians all over the world, Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked them for supporting the Zionist entity’s fight against the “forces of evil”. Elsewhere in the Middle East, hundreds of people took to the streets in Christian areas of Syria’s capital to protest the burning of a Christmas tree. The incident took place in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah in central Syria just over two weeks after Islamist-led rebels spearheaded an offensive that ousted president Bashar Al-Assad. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, the fighters who set fire to the tree were foreigners. A demonstrator in Damascus who gave his name as Georges told AFP he was protesting “injustice against Christians”. “If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here anymore,” he said. A religious leader from Syria’s victorious Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) addressed residents, maintaining that those who torched the tree were “not Syrian” and promising they would be punished. “The tree will be restored and lit up by tomorrow morning,” he said. Syria’s new rulers have vowed to protect the country’s religious minorities, including Christians. But some Syrian Christians, including secular longtime opponents to Assad’s rule, fear the new leadership’s Sunni Islamist ideology will mean their community’s political aspirations and those of other minorities will not be taken into account in the transition. In Germany, Christmas was overshadowed by a deadly attack at a market, prompting President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to issue a message of healing. A Saudi doctor, Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, 50, was arrested Friday at the scene of the attack, in which a rented SUV ploughed at high speed through a crowd of revelers, bringing chaos to the festive event. “A dark shadow hangs over this Christmas,” said the head of state. “Hatred and violence must not have the final word. Let’s not allow ourselves to be driven apart. Let’s stand together.” Pope Francis will mark Christmas Eve on Tuesday with a special ceremony launching Jubilee 2025, a year of Catholic celebrations set to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome. The motto of the Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and the Argentine pontiff is expected to repeat his calls for peace in a world riven by conflict, particularly in the Middle East. He drew an angry response from the Zionist entity at the weekend for condemning the “cruelty” of Zionist strikes in Gaza that killed children. Organized by the Church every 25 years, the Jubilee is intended as a period of reflection and penance. – AFP"Tessan aims to be a reliable companion for users in their lives and travels, ensuring that they stay connected at home or on the go. Participating in CES 2025 is also an opportunity for us to deepen the connection with more users, offering them a tangible experience of our commitment to innovation and sustainability," said Alex, CEO of TESSAN. At the heart of TESSAN's showcase are products that reflect its core values: simplicity and convenience, innovation and efficiency, as well as sustainability. Every product is designed with a user-centric approach, integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices to meet modern demands. A highlight of the exhibit will be the 140W Universal Travel Adapter, designed for global use with EU, UK, US, and Australian plugs. Its lightweight, compact design makes it travel-ready. USB-C ports offer up to 140 watts for fast charging, while USB-A ports provide 18 watts. It can charge multiple devices simultaneously, including smartphones, laptops, cameras, and CPAP machines. Advanced safety features, like double-patented auto-resetting fuses, ensure secure operation. Another innovation on display is the 100W Charging Station. Compact and designed to save space, this multi-functional device can charge up to nine gadgets simultaneously at high speed. Its sleek upright design combines style with functionality, while robust safety measures safeguard devices from overcurrent, voltage surges, and overheating, ensuring uninterrupted charging around the clock. For electric vehicle owners, TESSAN will showcase its Level 2 Smart EV Charger, a high-performance charging solution that delivers up to 11.5kW/h, offering remote control via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, off-peak scheduling, and adjustable currents. Compatible with most North American electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, its SAE J1772 connector and water-resistant, fireproof design ensure safety and reliability. These innovative products have not gone unnoticed in the industry. In May 2024 , TESSAN was recognized at the MUSE Design Awards, earning gold and silver honors for its Intelligent Charging Set, multi-functional fast charging socket, and Household EV AC Charger. These accolades reflect the brand's dedication to blending exceptional design with cutting-edge functionality, resonating with users worldwide. Beyond technology, TESSAN remains deeply committed to environmental sustainability. In August 2024 , the brand received ClimatePartner certification, signifying its alignment with eco-friendly practices. Most recently, it announced a collaboration with the non-profit organization One Tree Planted, launching an initiative to plant 10,000 trees as part of its efforts to mitigate climate change and support global reforestation. As a brand committed to empowering users to explore the unknown while safeguarding the planet, TESSAN continues to lead through innovation, sustainability, and meaningful action. CES 2025 promises to be an exciting opportunity for audiences to witness these values brought to life. About TESSAN TESSAN, a trusted partner in charging solutions, is committed to enriching experiences both at home and during travel. The brand offers a wide array of products, including multifunctional power strips, travel adapters, wall extenders, and smart home devices. Supported by a robust R&D and production team, TESSAN develops innovative socket products for users across the globe. With the trust of over 20 million users, TESSAN empowers their journeys from home to every destination, promoting environmentally conscious electricity usage. For more information, visit www.tessan.com or the TESSAN Amazon store , and follow TESSAN on Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ces-2025-preview-tessan-to-showcase-charging-solutions-for-enhanced-connectivity-and-convenience-302338829.html SOURCE TESSANChristmas: EFCC chair, Olukoyede, affirms greater prospects for Nigeria

By HILLEL ITALIE NEW YORK (AP) — Even through a year of nonstop news about elections, climate change, protests and the price of eggs, there was still time to read books. U.S. sales held steady according to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print market, with many choosing the relief of romance, fantasy and romantasy. Some picked up Taylor Swift’s tie-in book to her blockbuster tour, while others sought out literary fiction, celebrity memoirs, political exposes and a close and painful look at a generation hooked on smartphones. Here are 10 notable books published in 2024, in no particular order. Asking about the year’s hottest reads would basically yield a list of the biggest hits in romantasy, the blend of fantasy and romance that has proved so irresistible fans were snapping up expensive “special editions” with decorative covers and sprayed edges. Of the 25 top sellers of 2024, as compiled by Circana, six were by romantasy favorite Sarah J. Maas, including “House of Flame and Shadow,” the third of her “Crescent City” series. Millions read her latest installment about Bryce Quinlan and Hunter Athalar and traced the ever-growing ties of “Maasverse,” the overlapping worlds of “Crescent City” and her other series, “Throne of Glass” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” If romantasy is for escape, other books demand we confront. In the bestselling “The Anxious Generation,” social psychologist Jonathan Haidt looks into studies finding that the mental health of young people began to deteriorate in the 2010s, after decades of progress. According to Haidt, the main culprit is right before us: digital screens that have drawn kids away from “play-based” to “phone-based” childhoods. Although some critics challenged his findings, “The Anxious Generation” became a talking point and a catchphrase. Admirers ranged from Oprah Winfrey to Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee, who in a letter to state legislators advocated such “commonsense recommendations” from the book as banning phones in schools and keeping kids off social media until age 16. Bob Woodward books have been an election tradition for decades. “War,” the latest of his highly sourced Washington insider accounts, made news with its allegations that Donald Trump had been in frequent contact with Russian leader Vladimir Putin even while out of office and, while president, had sent Putin sophisticated COVID-19 test machines. Among Woodward’s other scoops: Putin seriously considered using nuclear weapons against Ukraine, and President Joe Biden blamed former President Barack Obama, under whom he served as vice president, for some of the problems with Russia. “Barack never took Putin seriously,” Woodward quoted Biden as saying. Former (and future) first lady Melania Trump, who gives few interviews and rarely discusses her private life, unexpectedly announced she was publishing a memoir: “Melania.” The publisher was unlikely for a former first lady — not one of the major New York houses, but Skyhorse, where authors include such controversial public figures as Woody Allen and Trump cabinet nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And its success was at least a minor surprise. Melania Trump did little publicity for the book, and offered few revelations beyond posting a video expressing support for abortion rights — a break from one of the cornerstones of GOP policy. But “Melania” still sold hundreds of thousands of copies, many in the days following her husband’s election. Taylor Swift was more than a music story in 2024. Like “Melania,” the news about Taylor Swift’s self-published tie-in to her global tour isn’t so much the book itself, but that it exists. And how well it sold. As she did with the “Eras” concert film, Swift bypassed the established industry and worked directly with a distributor: Target offered “The Eras Tour Book” exclusively. According to Circana, the “Eras” book sold more than 800,000 copies just in its opening week, an astonishing number for a publication unavailable through Amazon.com and other traditional retailers. No new book in 2024 had a better debut. Midnight book parties are supposed to be for “Harry Potter” and other fantasy series, but this fall, more than 100 stores stayed open late to welcome one of the year’s literary events: Sally Rooney’s “Intermezzo.” The Irish author’s fourth novel centers on two brothers, their grief over the death of their father, their very different career paths and their very unsettled love lives. “Intermezzo” was also a book about chess: “You have to read a lot of opening theory — that’s the beginning of a game, the first moves,” one of the brothers explains. “And you’re learning all this for what? Just to get an okay position in the middle game and try to play some decent chess. Which most of the time I can’t do anyway.” Lisa Marie Presley had been working on a memoir at the time of her death , in 2023, and daughter Riley Keough had agreed to help her complete it. “From Here to the Great Unknown” is Lisa Marie’s account of her father, Elvis Presley, and the sagas of of her adult life, notably her marriage to Michael Jackson and the death of son Benjamin Keough. To the end, she was haunted by the loss of Elvis, just 42 when he collapsed and died at his Graceland home while young Lisa Marie was asleep. “She would listen to his music alone, if she was drunk, and cry,” Keough, during an interview with Winfrey, said of her mother. Meanwhile, Cher released the first of two planned memoirs titled “Cher” — no further introduction required. Covering her life from birth to the end of the 1970s, she focuses on her ill-fated marriage to Sonny Bono, remembering him as a gifted entertainer and businessman who helped her believe in herself while turning out to be unfaithful, erratic, controlling and so greedy that he kept all the couple’s earnings for himself. Unsure of whether to leave or stay, she consulted a very famous divorcee, Lucille Ball, who reportedly encouraged her: “F— him, you’re the one with the talent.” A trend in recent years is to take famous novels from the past, and remove words or passages that might offend modern readers; an edition of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” cuts the racist language from Mark Twain’s original text. In the most celebrated literary work of 2024, Percival Everett found a different way to take on Twain’s classic — write it from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. “James,” winner of the National Book Award, is a recasting in many ways. Everett suggests to us that the real Jim was nothing like the deferential figure known to millions of readers, but a savvy and learned man who concealed his intelligence from the whites around him, and even from Twain himself. Salman Rushdie’s first National Book Award nomination was for a memoir he wished he had no reason to write. In “Knife,” he recounts in full detail the horrifying attempt on his life in 2022, when an attendee rushed the stage during a literary event in western New York and stabbed him repeatedly, leaving with him a blinded eye and lasting nerve damage, but with a spirit surprisingly intact. “If you had told me that this was going to happen and how would I deal with it, I would not have been very optimistic about my chances,” he told The Associated Press last spring. “I’m still myself, you know, and I don’t feel other than myself. But there’s a little iron in the soul, I think.”

Analysis: After pardoning son, Biden returns home to a credibility problemFlu cases soaring with NHS 'busier than ever' and 'barely a spare bed'

NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train used a shirt to fan the flames, a prosecutor said Tuesday at his arraignment on murder charges. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, who federal immigration officials said is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally, was not required to enter a plea and did not speak at the hearing in Brooklyn criminal court. Zapeta, wearing a white jumpsuit over a weathered black hooded sweatshirt, will remain jailed and is due back in court on Friday. His lawyer did not ask for bail. Zapeta is charged with two counts of murder, accusing him of intentionally killing the woman and killing her while committing arson. He is also charged with one count of arson. The top charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called the attack a “gruesome and senseless act of violence” and said it would be “met with the most serious consequences.” The apparently random attack occurred Sunday morning on an F train that was stopped at the Coney Island station. Police said Tuesday the victim's identification is still pending. Authorities say Zapeta approached the woman, who may have been sleeping in the train, and set her clothing on fire with a lighter. Zapeta then fanned the flames with a shirt, engulfing her in fire, Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg said in court Tuesday. Zapeta then sat on a bench on the subway platform and watched, police said. According to Rottenberg, Zapeta told detectives that he didn’t know what happened but identified himself in images of the attack. Zapeta's lawyer, Ed Friedman, did not speak to reporters after the arraignment. Video on social media appears to show some people looking on from the platform and at least one police officer walking by while the woman is on fire inside the train. NYPD Transit Chief Joseph Gulotta said Sunday that several officers responded to the fire and one stayed to keep the crime scene “the way it’s supposed to be" while the others went to get fire extinguishers and transit workers. “Officers who were on patrol on an upper level of that station smelled and saw smoke and went to investigate. What they saw was a person standing inside the train car fully engulfed in flames,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. They eventually put the fire out, but “unfortunately, it was too late,” Tisch said, and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Zapeta was taken into custody Sunday afternoon while riding a train on the same subway line after teenagers recognized him from images circulated by the police. A Brooklyn address for Zapeta released by police matches a shelter that provides housing and substance abuse support. The shelter did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Federal immigration officials said Zapeta was deported in 2018 but later reentered the U.S. illegally. The crime deepened a growing sense of unease among some New Yorkers about the safety of the subway system, amplified by graphic video of the attack that ricocheted across social media. Overall, crime is down in the transit system compared to last year. Major felonies declined 6% between January and November compared to the same time period last year, according to data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. But murders are up, with nine killings this year through November compared to five during the same period last year. Earlier this month, a Manhattan jury acquitted former Marine Daniel Penny in the chokehold death last year of an agitated subway rider. The case became a flashpoint in debates over safety, homelessness and mental illness on the system. Policing the subway is difficult, given the vast network of trains moving between 472 stations. Each stop contains multiple entry points and, in many stations, multiple floors and platforms.

The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts and packages proteins to be sent to their final destinations, whether that's within or outside of the cell. It's a core function, but little studied in the setting of cancer immunology, especially when compared to other organelles like the mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum. "So we were interested in looking a little bit more at the Golgi apparatus. It's obviously an important organelle. How is it being changed or what is its role in T-cells in terms of fighting cancer?" said Nathaniel Oberholtzer, an M.D./Ph.D. student who worked in the lab of Shikhar Mehrotra, Ph.D., co-leader of the Cancer Biology & Immunology Research Program at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and scientific director of the Center for Cellular Therapy in the MUSC College of Medicine. As it turns out, the healthy function of the Golgi apparatus has a lot to do with how well T-cells function in killing cancer cells. Understanding how a signaling axis mitigates Golgi stress, enabling it to perform properly, points to a possible new therapeutic target for researchers to pursue to strengthen T-cells. Not only that, but Oberholtzer's research shows how the Golgi could be used as a biomarker to select the strongest T-cells for immunotherapy. Oberholtzer, as first author, and Mehrotra, as senior author, along with a team of Hollings scientists published the research this month in Science Advances . T-cells, part of the immune system, can kill cancer cells. CAR-T cells are T-cells that have been modified in the lab to home in on proteins on the surface of an individual's cancer cells . CAR-T cells are custom-made for each patient. Both T-cells and CAR-T cells can become "exhausted" in the hostile tumor microenvironment. Mehrotra's lab looks at ways to boost these cells so that they can fight cancer for a longer time. "The whole tumor microenvironment is conducive for the tumor itself, but not for the other cells which are trying to get in there," Mehrotra said. Just like people, cells are constantly subjected to stress—stress from biochemical reactions that have become unbalanced and mechanical stress from moving. Transient stress can be good. Stressing your muscles through exercise strengthens them, and transient stress on cells can prompt them to a response that ultimately strengthens them. "But if this stress stays there, which it does in the tumor microenvironment, the cells are just in continuous stress, and that will then lead to a very different phenotype and death," Mehrotra said. However, the researchers found that treating the Golgi apparatus with hydrogen sulfide created T-cells that could take more stress. "Hydrogen sulfide is a gaseous signaling molecule present in pretty much all mammalian cell types. Typically, it's a byproduct of different cellular processes, but it's actually been shown to have really important signaling roles as well," Oberholtzer said. "It can modify proteins through a process called sulfhydration, where it modifies cysteine residues and can change their activity." In this project, Oberholtzer found that this sulfhydration process, in modifying a protein called Prdx4 within the Golgi apparatus, confers protection in an oxidative setting. "When you have the stressors that the tumor microenvironment puts on T-cells, you get a disruption, or fragmentation, of the Golgi apparatus where it essentially isn't able to do its job. Hydrogen sulfide protects against that disruption," Oberholtzer said. Looking into this protective effect then led the researchers to look more closely at the Golgi apparatus by itself. "Essentially, if you just use the Golgi apparatus as a simple marker, if T-cells have a lot of Golgi versus less, the ones that have more Golgi are much more robust at killing tumor cells and controlling tumors," Oberholtzer explained. Using cell sorting technology at the Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting Shared Resource at Hollings, the researchers sorted T-cells according to the amount of Golgi they contained. The top 30% were labeled Golgi-hi and the bottom 30% were labeled Golgi-lo. "Basically, all the cells which are expressing high Golgi have a very different phenotype. They are less exhausted, and they are much more potent in controlling tumors," Mehrotra said. This pre-clinical work suggests that sorting T-cells into Golgi-hi and Golgi-lo and reinfusing only the Golgi-hi cells into a patient would create a better chance of controlling the tumor . "Right now, we're working on doing some validation studies in the Center for Cellular Therapy to potentially be able to start a clinical trial to see if that has a translational ability as well," Oberholtzer said. More work is also needed to understand the role of Golgi stress when all of the organelles in a cell are under stress because of the tumor microenvironment . More information: Nathaniel Oberholtzer et al, H 2 S-Prdx4 axis mitigates Golgi stress to bolster tumor-reactive T cell immunotherapeutic response, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp1152Stock up on these popular board games for your next get-togetherA U.S.-made-and-supplied Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense battery was reportedly used on Friday morning against a ballistic missile fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen at Israel. The THAAD battery arrived in Israel in October. The move was hailed at the time as a step forward in U.S.-Israeli military cooperation, even in the context of difficult relations between the governments of U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reuters reported : An advanced U.S. military anti-missile system was used in Israel to try to intercept a projectile for the first time since President Joe Biden placed the system in Israel in October, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday. The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, was used to try to intercept a projectile from Yemen sometime during the last 24 hours, and an analysis would determine its success, said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity. ... In October, Biden placed the THAAD system, built by Lockheed Martin , in Israel along with about 100 U.S. soldiers to help defend the country. THAAD is a critical part of the U.S. military’s layered air defense systems and added to Israel’s already formidable anti-missile defenses. However, critics also noted that increasingly direct U.S. involvement Israel’s defense could be exploited by an unfriendly administration, as Biden attempted to do when he withheld certain munitions from Israel in protest at Israel’s decision to enter the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. The move also placed U.S. soldiers at risk in the war zone, adding to the possibility of further U.S. involvement. Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of The Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days , available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency , now available on Audible. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak .