winph4 Labour MP for Cardiff West, Alex Barros-Curtis, said warnings should have been “amber or red”, as Mr Reed told MPs that more flooding is “likely”. Hundreds of homes were left under water, roads were turned into rivers and winds of more than 80mph were recorded across parts of the UK. More than 130 flood warnings and 160 alerts remained in place across the UK on Monday. In the Commons on Monday, Mr Barros-Curtis asked: “Can I ask that the Secretary of State speak to his Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) colleagues to carefully look into the role of the Met Office here? “It is clear that their response was slow and that there was a clear underestimation of the impact of Storm Bert. “They put it yellow rather than amber or red. Our constituents have been let down by this incompetence before, and it cannot keep happening.” Mr Reed said: “In most parts of the countries that were affected, warnings were given with adequate time for people to prepare and I would encourage people to sign up on the Defra website, or the Environment Agency website for warnings and alerts if they live in an area that could be affected by flooding. “I’m aware of the particular concern that he mentions regarding the Met Office, and I will indeed be speaking to colleagues in DSIT as they review the circumstances of that and look at how the situation can be improved for future events of this kind.” During his update to the House, the Environment Secretary said that more flooding this week is “likely” but its impact “should be less severe” than has been seen. He said: “Around 28,000 properties are being protected by Environment Agency flood defences. “Unfortunately, an estimated 107 properties have flooded across England, principally from river and surface water flooding.” He added: “The Environment Agency and local responders have also been busy protecting properties elsewhere in England, including flooding from the River Teme in Tenbury Wells where around 40 properties have flooded. “The river has now peaked and local responders will be focusing on the lower reaches of rivers over the next few days.” He further stated: “Further flooding is sadly likely over the next few days as water levels rise in slower flowing rivers such as the Severn and the Ouse. “The Environment Agency anticipates that any impacts should be less severe than we have seen in recent days.” Mr Reed also described the flood defences they inherited from the previous government as being “in the worst condition on record following years of underinvestment”. He added: “Over 3,000 of our key flood defences are below an acceptable standard. “That is why we are investing £2.4 billion over the next two years to build and maintain flood defences.” Elsewhere in the session, Labour MP for Coventry South, Zarah Sultana, was among the MPs to call for a legal duty on fire services to respond to flooding. She said: “I want to express my solidarity and thanks to all of our emergency services, including firefighters on the front line. “Extreme weather events are on the rise and becoming ever more frequent due to climate change, highlighting the urgent need for proper funding and resources. “England is the only part of the UK without a statutory duty for flooding, leaving fire services underfunded and under-resourced to respond effectively. This must change, as the FBU (Fire Brigades Union) has long called for.” “When will the Government finally provide a statutory duty for Fire and Rescue authorities to respond to flooding incidents in England?” Mr Reed replied: “The fire and rescue authorities have the powers to intervene, but she’s quite right to point out there’s not a duty, and officials in my department, working with the Home Office, will review that to see that that remains appropriate.” Conservative MP for Mid Buckinghamshire Greg Smith said some communities in his constituency are flooding “for the first time in decades” as he accused the Government of wanting to “concrete over the countryside”. He said: “That is a result of some of the big infrastructure we are seeing being built, particularly HS2 where they will concrete over a field completely, it seems, unaware that that will have a knock-on effect to farmland next door. “So will the Secretary of State commit to working with the Transport Secretary (Louise Haigh) and I also suggest the Deputy Prime Minister (Angela Rayner) given their plans to concrete over the countryside to ensure that where construction takes place proper, and I really mean proper, flood mitigation measures are put into place.” Mr Reed replied: “This needs to operate across Government, and we will have those conversations and ensure that measures are put in place to support communities as much as is possible from the more severe weather events that we’re seeing as a result of climate change.”Grey Market Labs announces $8M Series A funding led by Capri Ventures to accelerate growth of its Replica Platform - First of its kind "Secure Environment as a Service"

Hamas Ambushes Israeli Troops In Rafah | Powerful Operation Caught On Camera

Malik Nabers says calling the Giants 'soft' was wrong but he doesn't regret speaking outMinisters told ‘incompetence’ at Met Office led to underestimation of Storm Bert

Ministers told ‘incompetence’ at Met Office led to underestimation of Storm BertCardinals' feel-good month comes to a screeching halt after a head-scratching loss to Seahawks

Winston's performance in snowy win over Steelers adds new layer to Browns' quarterback conundrumXRAY Investors Have Opportunity to Lead Dentsply Sirona Inc. Securities Fraud LawsuitOn November 28, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement that Georgia was withdrawing from EU accession negotiations sparked popular protests of a kind never before seen in Georgia. It started in Tbilisi, of course, but within days the protests had spread throughout Georgia: Batumi, Kutaisi, Gori, Khashuri, Ozurgeti, Akhaltsikhe and other cities. The number of people joining the protests also increased. Most importantly, they spread to civil servants, professional groups and businesses. People of all ages, political views and social classes took to the streets to protest against the change in foreign policy announced by the ruling party. From the very first day of the protests, a range of ‘special measures’ were used to disperse peaceful demonstrators: tear gas canisters, rubber bullets, water cannons, truncheons, beatings, etc. The time frame for the use of special measures has been shrinking, with the police starting to use them in the last few days before the rallies even really got going. On a par with the police forces are the unidentified groups of men in black, lightly equipped but carrying rubber bullet guns, with their faces covered, without insignia (it is noteworthy that the faces of almost all the police have their faces covered with black masks or medical masks, making it impossible to identify the perpetrators of human rights violations). These units of men in black accompany the special forces and the riot police and attack demonstrators who resist the crowd. By the 5th day of protests, there is mounting evidence of police brutality on an unprecedented proportion, both during the arrests in the streets, as well as after the detentions. The stories that have emerged have only made the protesters angrier, as they now see even more clearly the future that awaits Georgia, as it drifts towards authoritarianism, in the model of Belarus or Russia. No policeman has yet been charged with violence. The youth have come to the forefront of the resistance’s, with their energy, uncompromising nature, risk proneness, creativity and resourcefulness. They started using fireworks to defend themselves, formed groups that use the water bottles to neutralize the tear gas canisters, and created an application to track the movements of the special forces, riot police and “men in black” in the streets of Tbilisi. An integral part of the story of resistance is what the demonstrators go through while exercising their constitutional right to demonstration and expression. These stories have resonated in Georgian society and caused an outcry among citizens. These stories, it seems, despite intimidating the citizens, provoked even greater citizen participation in the rallies. RFE/RL- Georgia Office spoke to several individuals the victims of police brutality during the recent rallies. who was detained at night on December 3. He says he was trying to escape the special forces, when he dropped the phone, he turned back and that was the firs time that he was first kicked in the face by special forces. He says those were the Special Tasks Department employees, subordinated to notorious Zviad Kharazishvili, who is sanctioned by the US Department for human rights abuses. He says, he was cursed at, the police ripped an earring out of his ear and snatched his mobile phone watch. He was among those who would be severly beaten in the police van. “When they opened the minivan door, there was a man inside who was being brutally beaten by a special forces officer. He was also being insulted with profane words as they yelled at him, ‘Speak up!’ It turned out that the man was mute. One of the special forces officers told the other, ‘I think he’s mute, leave him alone.’ But the response was, ‘To hell with that!’ and they didn’t stop, yelling, ‘If he’s here, he has to speak!’ he recalls. He then said: “When they threw me inside, they turned their attention to me. Periodically, the door would open, and two or three angry men would jump in, beat us and kick us. ” He says the detained were hit mostly in the face. Data says it’s still unclear how badly his eye is injured, as he can’t open it yet. was arrested by special forces in front of the Parliament of Georgia on December 1st, around 1 am. He recalls the night of his arrest: “Water canons were already being used on Chichinadze and Chitadze streets, and people had fled that way. There was almost no one left near the Parliament... I was sorting through my cameras and physiological solutions. Suddenly, the iron gate of the Parliament opened, and riot police rushed out, attacking the two remaining skinny persons.” He was shoved into a minibus. “There, everyone beat me and insulted me, he recalls calling it a “standard story” adding that the riot police took his phone, camera, and charger. He said while beating him the special forces and riot police repeated the GD propaganda that he was a foreign agent acting on somebody’s order, and that he wanted a war. He further recalls: “When they transferred me to the main police department on Kakheti Highway, I saw people who were severely beaten, covered in blood, sitting at a table to sign the arrest protocols, and blood was dripping onto the table.” The protocols all had the same thing written in them: ‘I was on Chichinadze Street, trying to break through the police cordon, cursing, throwing stones...’ I had never been on Chichinadze Street. Most of the people didn’t sign these protocols, and they were taken directly to the pre-trial detention facility.” was arrested on December 1st, between 6 and 7 am on Rustaveli Avenue. He was at the rally with his friend and was about to head home when the police once again deployed tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. The young men took shelter in a yard, where they stayed for 15-20 minutes until the smoke cleared. Afterward, they packed their masks and other protective gear into their backpacks and returned to Rustaveli Avenue. He was arrested by young men who were then joined by and older man who upon arriving started mocking him, saying they have arrested a revolutionary and asking him how many fireworks and stones he threw.” Without provoking the police, he was punched in the face with his fist. My lip split, and my mouth filled with blood. Then they started searching my bag, finding a syringe, physiological solution, spare pants, and a bottle of drinking water. When they saw the syringe, they asked if I was a drug addict. Then I heard the sound of the water bottle opening, and suddenly they poured it down my neck, saying, ‘Here, catch a cold now.’ One of them said, ‘Pour some more on him, it’ll feel better.’ They emptied a two-liter bottle on me,” Luka recalls. Before the special forces handed Luka over to the patrol police, they beat him several more times. “When they were hitting me, the older man started shouting at the younger ones, telling them to calm down and stop what they were doing. But before I could think that he was trying to help me, he said, ‘If someone’s going to hit him, it’s going to be me, you know I hit the hardest,’ and suddenly he hit me in the back of the head so hard that I lost strength in my legs and nearly passed out. When they saw I was falling, they told me to get up, and then kicked me in the back. During all this time, the hat was still covering my face, and I couldn’t see anything. When they realized I couldn’t stand, they said, ‘Take him away,’ and they put me into some vehicle, where I still had the hat covering my face and couldn’t see anything. They took me to the Digomi police station. There, one boy was so badly beaten that his face was unrecognizable. I think his name was Saba. He was immediately transferred to the clinic. Both of his eyes were swollen shut, and he couldn’t see at all,” Luka recalls. story’s is the one that truly shook the Georgian society and prompted even more youngsters to protest. On the night of the protest, at 11 pm, Zviad arrived at rally with his brother, just as the special forces were using water cannons to disperse demonstrators on Chitadze Street. At the same time, a police cordon moved forward on Rustaveli avenue from Freedom Square. “This cordon pushed the crowd toward us, and we had to retreat. Suddenly, police officers came out from Chitadze Street and ran onto the Rustaveli Avenue sidewalk. I was in the area where one man was dragged away, another was being beaten, and a journalist was lying motionless in front of me. I narrowly escaped being arrested. They were spraying pepper spray everywhere, and it was hard to breathe. Everything was happening at once, and we couldn’t move forward,” recalls Zviad Maisashvili. Due to the uncontrollable situation, he fled towards the Rustaveli metro station. He had no protective equipment, having only worn a face mask to the protest. The demonstrators had already set up barricades. The special forces had quickly occupied the area in front of the parliament. “Where I was, it wasn’t the epicenter of the protest, and most of the people were already heading home. We heard that the police were coming from the upper streets to encircle the demonstrators. We started to move forward a bit, but my brother got left behind, so I turned back to find him. When we looked up, we saw the police coming down. Everything happened in seconds, and we ran. Within moments, other officers surrounded me and started kicking my legs. I screamed, ‘Don’t hit me,’ but they kept hitting me, and I blacked out. That’s all I remember”. Zviad Maisashvili was physically attacked by around ten police officers in front of the Rustaveli Theatre. The incident was broadcast live by the party member, Theona Chalidze. The footage shows him lying on the asphalt, helpless, when one of the policemen kicks him in the head with his heel when he was lying down, and almost immediate another policeman kicks him in the face. After that Zviad fell unconscious. He credits people who came to his aid and managed protect him from being detained- Nanka Kalatozishvili and Giorgi Bakhutashvili [well known actors in Georgia]. “They who helped me to a car, and I was taken to the clinic. When I woke up, I was already in a medical facility,” says Zviad, recalling the attack. were he change in Georgia’s foreign policy path in front of Parliament. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has charged them under Part 1 of Article 173, which pertains to disobedience or insult toward law enforcement officers. “I was standing peacefully. Five people came, dragged me, and beat me. Four men pulled me along. Along the way, many police officers saw me and hit me. I didn’t throw any stones, nor did I insult anyone”, said Avtandil Shavgulishvili during the trial, adding he was verbally abused all the way as well. “What did I do wrong? I asked, and they hit me in the head. They told me, ‘Don’t act like a fool,’” stated Demetre Khurtsilava in his testimony. Tornike Chelidze recalled that he was arrested by the special forces while leaving the protest to go home—he was pulled out of his car. All three of them testified that they were brutally beaten during their arrest. However, Judge Lela Tsagareishvili did not allow the lawyers to discuss the beatings issue, stating that it would not be addressed in this session and would only address the “disobedience” and “insults” to police officers. was beaten by police upon detention. “While being beaten, the detainees were spat on, cursed and shouted at as well as threatened with rape. The lawyer of the Legal Aid Network recalls that the beatings didn’t stop even after he put in a police minibus with other detainees – these minivan-type vehicles are used by the police to collect detainees for transfer to police precincts. “The minibus was a nightmare, there were all these beaten people sitting there, there was a pool of blood in the minibus – I saw an empty seat, I sat down. The person sitting next to me gave me a piece of cloth, he had also been beaten. When I started to clean my face, the door opened and the special forces officer had entered hit me again in the face. Then the door opened again and my brother and my friend were brought in. I was sitting closest to the door of the minibus, which opened three times in total, and everyone who entered hit me in the face. “The last time I covered my face with my hand and they kicked me,” Tornike recalls of the time before he was taken to the police station. recalls being beaten by special forces on the night of December 1-2 on Besiki Street: “Probably about 20-25 of the riot police were chasing us. When I turned around, the first thing that came to my mind was to start filming a video, but that irritated one of them so much that he ran at me and told me to turn off the phone. When I didn’t turn it off, he ripped it out of my hands, threw it on the ground, and slammed me against the wall. They were shouting terribly vulgar words at us. They were hitting us on the head. Several special forces officers were attacking two girls. Some of them chased the some guys, and I don’t know what happened to them. I was screaming ‘You’re from the same place as me, what’s wrong with you?” but nothing helped. Salome Zandukeli recalls that her and her friend then ran out of the building and took refuge in one of the bars on Rustaveli Avenue. But within three or four minutes, the whole avenue was surrounded by special forces and, fearing a raid, they turned off the lights in the bar, locked the door and turned off the TV. “Had they come inside, I don’t know what would have happened to us,” Salome Zandukeli shares. was arrested on the night of December 1-2 on Rustaveli Street. He had his hands up to show he is not aggressive, but was forced to pull hands down and attacked. He recalls: “They were swearing at me...They took me to the detention vehicle, and before that, they made me pass through their famous corridor, where around two hundred people were cursing at me. As soon as I lost sight of them, they shouted to the others, ‘This one threw a Molotov cocktail,’ and upon hearing that, another furious special forces officer started chasing me”. “Suddenly, I felt unbearable pain and realized something had happened to me. At that moment, I didn’t know I had a broken rib. They forced me to stand up, but I collapsed from the pain and crawled to the back of the minibus. It seems this was a special vehicle, as it didn’t have windows. It was very spacious inside... At some point, I found it hard to breathe. I heard someone say, ‘Don’t let him die’ (followed by more cursing).” who was detained on the night of November 28-29 says with his detainment aired live as he was dragged into the crowd of the police. The police started beating him relentlessly, leading him down the street. As Zviad recounts, they continued to push him to the car, while the officers were furious and continued hitting him, especially once the cameras were no longer in range. “They didn’t stop until they threw me into the car, and then, as we were temporarily stopped on Kakheti Highway, they kept insulting and beating me nonstop,” he says. In the car, Zviad was alone with the police officers. One of them, sitting in the front, deliberately punched him in the head and body. With his hands tied, Zviad could only turn toward the back seat to avoid the blows to his face. “They mostly insulted me and said they’d break me. They said, ‘We’re dragging you now, and we’ll see how you crack,'” Zviad recalls. “But they couldn’t break me.” At the temporary stop on the way to the detention facility, as Zviad recalls “they brought in a severely beaten-up guy and made him sign a statement saying he had fallen down the stairs. Then they turned to me and said, ‘See how the nice guys behave? You should act the same way,'” Zviad recounts. “I responded as necessary. After that, patrol police transferred me to the Zahesi temporary detention facility, where the beating stopped.”

Olemedia I drew this chart here in July . I wrote: “However, I have to say there is a solid chance for the longed-for breakout. Firstly, a Trump pump has legs if he continues to lead the polls. Then there is in the market itself the Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. I am an active crypto investor and trader, and buy, sell and hold all kinds of cryptocurrency. I will likely have positions long and short in a number of cryptos at any given moment. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

President-elect Donald Trump will likely return to office skeptical about NATO’s value and Europe’s contribution to its own security. Officials who worked directly with Trump in his first term are convinced that he has no qualms about reducing or even ending the United States’ commitment to the Alliance. But Trump will again be a transactional president who wants to demonstrate strength. With the proper initiatives, European allies can save the Alliance. These allies should start by focusing the June 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague on Europe’s strategic responsibilities, agreeing on ways that Europe can remove some of the United States’ defense burden. Major European powers are faced with flagging economic growth, weakened leadership, and Ukraine war-weariness. Therefore, much of the leadership burden will fall on new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He is up to the task. As a former center-right Dutch prime minister, Rutte is known to have a cordial relationship with Trump, and like Trump, he is a dealmaker. Ukraine will be first on the docket. Trump is pushing for a quick settlement that would probably result in continued Russian occupation of some Ukrainian land. Rutte has already stressed that the United States’ security interests lie in preventing a Russian victory. Europe should seek to shape Trump’s initiative accordingly. Whatever the terms of a ceasefire, key to lasting peace will be a solid Western commitment to long-term Ukrainian security. That should be Europe’s principal focus. Ideally, that would mean NATO membership for Ukraine. Europe should encourage that outcome, but Trump may resist. If so, the European Union (EU) could step up by prioritizing Ukrainian EU membership, which includes the somewhat weaker Article 42.7 defense commitment . It should also deploy European troops to Ukraine post-conflict to underscore its pending commitment and pledge to provide the majority of long-term military aid to Kyiv. The June 2025 NATO Summit itself can celebrate the fact that twenty-three of NATO’s thirty-two countries now meet the 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) defense spending goal. The Alliance needs to encourage the remaining nine to meet that goal soon, but it should also take the next big step. Chinese military spending—especially on naval assets, missiles, and nuclear weapons—is challenging the United States’ traditional military dominance in East Asia. The United States must respond to maintain deterrence in that region. To help with that, Europe needs to backfill in its own region. To do this, at its upcoming summit, NATO should agree to raise the 2 percent goal, perhaps to 3 percent of GDP by the end of the decade. Should Trump abandon the United Sates’ NATO commitment, that would present an absolute minimum European defense spending level. But pledging it in advance could keep the United States in the Alliance. Trump could take credit while NATO gets stronger. Moreover, the new defense spending goal should be targeted on specific defense requirements. One requirement could be the development of adequate European forces to meet the supreme allied commander Europe’s new defense plans for the continent. A second requirement could be the purchase of enough so-called enablers to meet massive European shortfalls in this area. Such enablers include strategic lift, air-to-air refueling, modern operational intelligence, communications, and command and control. Each of these is essential to credible modern deterrence and, if that fails, to fighting a war. A third requirement should be building additional European naval assets that would allow the United States to swing many of its naval forces to Asia without degrading NATO’s defenses. Meeting these defense requirements would entail enhanced European defense industrial cooperation and innovation. This would be a job for the EU, but programs should be designed in such a way that US defense firms and their technology are not excluded. These budgetary steps should be augmented by larger enhanced forward deployment of European troops. Currently, there are NATO enhanced forward deployments in eight of NATO’s frontline countries. But the size of these forces is generally small—battalion-sized battle groups of about one thousand troops each. Some, like the one in Lithuania, have been upgraded to continuous brigade-sized groups, or up to about five thousand soldiers each. All eight of these should be fully upgraded to the brigade level, provided with long-range artillery and air defenses, and augmented with prepositioned stocks for future reinforcements. The US contribution would be to further upgrade its presence in Poland. At the global level, the June summit should establish a new division of responsibility among NATO, the EU, and the United States. This could further lighten the US burden. NATO’s prime responsibility would be defense of its treaty area. The EU might take prime responsibility for conflicts to its south, primarily in Africa. Security in the Middle East might be a joint national responsibility with a US lead, as it has been in the Red Sea. This transatlantic division of strategic responsibility should extend to Asia, with new steps taken at The Hague. Previous summits have moved NATO in this direction, and North Korea’s recent combat role in the Ukraine war further underlines the linkage between European and Asian security. While the United States would bear the principal responsibility of supporting its Asian allies against attack, Europe can do more to enhance deterrence there. NATO would not extend its Article 5 commitment to Asia. But by continuing Asian participation in NATO summits, creating new NATO liaison offices in Asia, warning China about the dire consequences of invading Taiwan, and participating in more freedom-of-navigation exercises with the United States, European countries can contribute more to the US effort to deter war in Asia. Eventually, Europe may also need to address the ten-fold nuclear imbalance between Russia and Europe. It was the US strategic nuclear deterrent that kept the peace during the Cold War. Should the United States’ nuclear umbrella be withdrawn from Europe as part of a US withdrawal from NATO, Europe’s two nuclear powers, Britain and France, may need to reconsider their current minimal-deterrent posture. Without the US nuclear umbrella, Europe would be more vulnerable to Russian nuclear blackmail. This is likely to be a back-room discussion at The Hague. This agenda for The Hague summit is a tall order. This will be especially true if the United Sates and Europe are in a trade war triggered by the new tariffs promised by Trump. But the security stakes are exceedingly high. It’s time for Europe to step up, play the enhanced security role that it should play, and save NATO in the process. Hans Binnendijk served as National Security Council senior director for defense policy in the Clinton administration and as director of the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University. He is a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council. Timo Koster served as director of defense policy and capabilities at NATO and was ambassador-at-large for security policy and cyber for the Netherlands. He is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center.TORONTO, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. (“ PIMCO Canada ”) announced today that at special meetings of the unitholders of PIMCO Tactical Income Fund (TSX: PTI), PIMCO Tactical Income Opportunities Fund (TSX: PTO) and PIMCO Multi-Sector Income Fund (TSX: PIX) (collectively, the “ Funds ”) held on December 4, 2024, unitholders of the Funds approved all matters relating to the reorganization of each Fund (the “ Mergers ”), each currently structured as a trust, whereby holders of units of the Funds will become holders of the same class of units of PIMCO Monthly Enhanced Income Fund (TSX: PMEI), a new non-redeemable investment fund structured as a trust managed by PIMCO Canada, all as more particularly described in the Management Information Circular of the Funds dated October 18, 2024. The necessary regulatory and independent review committee approvals have also been received. 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In the 50+ years since, the firm continued to bring innovation and expertise to our partnership with clients seeking the best investment solutions. Today PIMCO has offices across the globe and 2,500+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz SE, a leading global diversified financial services provider. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions “expect”, “anticipate”, “will” and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Funds. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Fund’s, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO’s current expectations regarding future results or events. 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Malik Nabers says calling the Giants 'soft' was wrong but he doesn't regret speaking out

Black Friday 2024 is right around the corner, and it's already shaping up to be one of the most competitive shopping events of the year. Top retailers and carriers are vying to bring you the best phone deals. Whether you're starting your holiday shopping early or making up for missing last month's Prime Day, there are incredible offers from Samsung, Google, Motorola, and Apple. Also: The best Black Friday deals live now The phone deals below will save you a significant amount of money on some of the best handsets we've tested and recommend at ZDNET. For example, carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile are offering " On Us " promotions that can get you the latest iPhone, Samsung, or Google Pixel for free with a qualifying trade-in. You'll also find links to the retailer with the best offer for various phones below, whether that's Best Buy , Amazon , or AT&T . Keep an eye out, as we'll be continuously updating the list with new deals this week. Our favorite smartphone deals for Black Friday 2024 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra : $1,300 (save $120 at Samsung): The best phone we've tested so far, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs the best specs across key categories, including display, performance, battery life, and camera. It also has a built-in S-Pen for precision inputs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 : $1,600 (save $300 at Samsung): If you opt for one of the special edition colors (Crafted Black or White), the Korean giant will discount a total of $800 with no trade-in required. iPhone 16 On Us : $25/month (save up to $3,200 at T-Mobile): The carrier will sell you four iPhone 16 models for free when you trade in eligible devices, start 4 new lines at $25 per line, and agree to 24 months of bill credits. Apple iPhone 16 : $0.00/month (save $830 at Verizon): The carrier will credit you the cost of Apple's base-model iPhone when you open a new line and are under an Unlimited Ultimate plan. Clicks Keyboard for iPhone 16 series : $139 (save $20 at Best Buy): A snap-on case that'll bring you back to the glory days of physical phone keyboards and quick dial. The Clicks Keyboard can also be programmable to fire up shortcuts, apps, and more. Nomad USB-C to USB-C ChargeKey : $19 (save $6 at Nomad): One of my essential travel accessories is this keychain with two USB-C connectors that can pump out up to 60W of power. Google Pixel 9 : $649 (save $150 at Amazon): Possibly the best Android phone for most people in 2024, the comfortably sized, very capable Pixel 9 is selling at close to its all-time low price. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold : $1,500 (save $300 at Amazon): In content for best foldable phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an improved, more ergonomic design, a massive 8-inch display, and support for the latest Google AI tools. Google Pixel 8a : $400 (save $100 at Amazon): A fantastic, compact, and AI-ready Android that's priced to compete, the Pixel 8a is 20% off right now. OnePlus Open : $1,200 (save $500 at Amazon): One of the best foldable phones we've tested is selling at a $500 discount for Black Friday. OnePlus 12 : $550 (save $250 at Best Buy): The OnePlus flagship is the fastest-charging phone you can buy in the US, with a beefy 5,400mAh battery that should last you well into a second day. Motorola Razr+ 2024 : $750 (save $250 at Best Buy): The best flip phone you can buy right now is $250 off and comes with 256GB of storage. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Current price: $950 Original price: $1,420 While the year hasn't ended yet, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra remains ZDNET's top pick for best phone of 2024. The big selling point with the Ultra model is its maximalist approach to being a smartphone, giving you all the features you could need, including a built-in S Pen stylus, upwards of 1TB of storage, and a quad-camera system. For a limited time, you can pick up the 512GB of storage variant for the same price as the 256GB. Review: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Google Pixel 9 Current price: $649 Original price: $799 The Google Pixel 9 is the phone I recommend to most people in 2024. It doesn't have the flashiest features, like a dedicated telephoto lens or LTPO display, but it's a well-rounded package that holds up against phones that cost hundreds of dollars more. With seven years of software support, Google AI features, and a very capable camera system, you've got one of the safest, best-value phones on sale for Black Friday. Review: Google Pixel 9 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Current price: $772 Original price: $1,100 One of the best flip phones on the market, you can buy Samsung's latest foldable for $300 off for Black Friday. For the money, you get a compact handset with dual cameras, dual screens, and up to seven years of software features, operating system, and security updates. The new Z Flip 6 model is also Samsung's most durable one yet. Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Current price: $65 a month Original price: $999 Carrier deals are almost always too good to be true, but if you meet all the right requirements and are willing to exchange loyalty for a discounted iPhone, things may just work out. Case in point, this Boost Mobile deal will cover the cost of the latest iPhone 16 Pro, with the requirement being to enroll in the brand's wireless plan ($65 a month over 36 months). If you were already considering switching carrier plans or starting a new one, this deal is worth considering. Review: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Motorola Razr (2023) Current price: $350 Original price: $700 The Motorola Razr (2023) is one of the more accessible foldable phones on the market, and this Black Friday deal makes it even more so. While the outer display is not as large as the flagship flip phones, its inner display is the same size as Razr's more expensive sibling, Razr Plus. Right now, you can buy the Razr at a $350 mark-down. Review: Motorola Razr (2023) Best Black Friday Samsung phone deals Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra : $1,300 (save $120 at Samsung): The best phone we've tested so far, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs the best specs across key categories, including display, performance, battery life, and camera. It also has a built-in S-Pen for precision inputs. Samsung Galaxy S24 : $700 (save $100 at Amazon): The base model of the Galaxy S24 series has also been discounted by $100. It's a more compact option if you're not a fan of big phones. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 : $1,600 (save $300 at Samsung): If you opt for one of the special edition colors (Crafted Black or White), the Korean giant will discount a total of $700 with no trade-in required. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 : $772 (save $328 at Amazon): For a flagship foldable that won't break the bank, consider Samsung's latest Z Flip 6, which is selling for a record-low price, so long as you opt for the green color. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G : $300 (save $100 at Amazon): One of the best budget phones on the market, with a 120Hz display and triple camera setup. Best Black Friday iPhone deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET Apple iPhone 16 : $0/month (save $830 at Verizon): The carrier will credit you the cost of Apple's base-model iPhone when you open a new line and are under an Unlimited Ultimate plan. Apple iPhone 16 Pro : $65/month (save $1,000 at Boost): Want a Pro iPhone that's actually comfortable to hold and use? Consider the smaller iPhone 16 Pro. Apple iPhone 16 Plus : $65/month (save $930 at Boost): Apple also offers the standard iPhone 16 in a Plus size, with a 6.7-inch display. Apple iPhone 16 On Us : $25/month (save up to $3,200 at T-Mobile): The uncarrier will sell you four iPhone 16 models for free when you trade in eligible devices, start 4 new lines at $25 per line, and agree to 24 months of bill credits. Best Black Friday Motorola phone deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET Motorola Razr+ 2024 : $750 (save $250 at Best Buy): The best flip phone you can buy right now is $250 off and comes with 256GB of storage. Motorola Razr+ 2023 : $550 (save $450 at Amazon): Another foldable phone contender, the higher-end Razr+ model is also discounted and is arguably a better flip phone than Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip thanks to a more customizable and functional outer screen. Motorola Razr 2024 : $450 (save $250 at Best Buy): It's not as big of a discount, but if you want a Motorola Razr with more future-proofed specs, consider the 2024 model. Motorola Razr 2023 : $350 (save $350 at Motorola): The most affordable foldable phone on the market right now just got cheaper, with the 2023 Motorola Razr marked even lower at $350. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 : $237 (save $263 at Motorola): For a budget phone with stylus support, consider Motorola's G Stylus model, which comes with 256GB of storage. Motorola Moto G Power 2024 : $200 (save $100 at Best Buy): Motorola's G Power line doesn't have the flashiest features, but its large battery and efficient processor make it a fantastic pick-up for kids, students, elders, or a secondary device. Best Black Friday Google Pixel deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET Google Pixel 9 : $649 (save $150 at Amazon): Possibly the best Android phone for most people in 2024, the comfortably sized, very capable Pixel 9 is selling at close to its all-time low price. Google Pixel Fold : $1,120 (save $680 at Walmart): The brand's first foldable phone has a compact 5.8-inch display on the outside and an expansive 7.6-inch screen on the inside. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold : $1,500 (save $300 at Amazon): In content for best foldable phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an improved, more ergonomic design, a massive 8-inch display, and support for the latest Google AI tools. Google Pixel 8a : $400 (save $100 at Amazon): A fantastic, compact, and AI-ready Android that's priced to compete, the Pixel 8a is 20% off right now. Google Pixel 9 Pro : $0.00/month (save $999 at T-Mobile): When you trade in an eligible device, are on a Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plan, and agree to a 24-month installment plan. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL : $5.55/month (save $1,200 at Verizon): When you trade in an eligible device, are on an eligible Unlimited plan, and agree to a 36-month installment plan. Google Pixel 7a : $350 (save $150 at Amazon): One of the best budget phones on the market, with Google AI features and a 90Hz display. Google Pixel 8 : $450 (save $250 at Amazon): Coming with 128GB of storage, the year-old Pixel 8 is still a fantastic mid-range option if you value camera quality above all else. Best Black Friday OnePlus deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET OnePlus Open : $1,200 (save $500 at Amazon): One of the best foldable phones we've tested is selling at a $500 discount for Black Friday. OnePlus Nord N30 5G : $230 (save $70 at Amazon): This is a great budget option with a large 6.7-inch screen, a 5,000mAh battery, and 50W wired charging. OnePlus 12 : $550 (save $250 at Best Buy): The OnePlus flagship is the fastest-charging phone you can buy in the U.S., with a beefy 5,400mAh battery that should last you well into a second day. OnePlus 12R : $400 (save $100 at OnePlus): A sleeper pick for the best mid-range Android phone this year, the OnePlus 12R is currently being sold at its lowest price in 30 days. Best Black Friday phone accessories deals Clicks Keyboard for iPhone 16 series : $139 (save $20 at Best Buy): A snap-on case that'll bring you back to the glory days of physical phone keyboards and quick dial. The Clicks Keyboard can also be programmable to fire up shortcuts, apps, and more. Nomad USB-C to USB-C ChargeKey : $19 (save $6 at Nomad): One of my essential travel accessories is this keychain with two USB-C connectors that can pump out up to 60W of power. Nomad Magnetic Leather Back : $36 (save $4 at Nomad): If you're not a case guy, consider this magnetic leather back cover, which gives you the texture, look, and smell of the material without adding much bulk to your phone. Spigen Tough Armor MagFit Case : $20 (save $40 at Amazon): For a protective phone case that's soft to the touch, highly functional (thanks to its magnetic ring mount and kickstand), and won't break the bank, consider the Spigen Tough Armor. Apple AirPods Pro 2 : $154 (save $95 at Amazon): You can now use your AirPods with your Apple Watch and as hearing aids , and this is a great deal on one of our favorite AirPod models. Torras MiniMag 5,000mAh MagSafe Battery Pack : $40 (save $13 at Amazon): ZDNET's favorite thin MagSafe battery pack is on sale right now. It's lightweight, powerful, and perfect for topping off your phone's battery on the go. FAQs Black Friday takes place on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. However, expect retailers to begin early discounts and sales weeks before. Cyber Monday is happening on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, following Black Friday. Yes, phones, including recent iPhone models, are often cheaper on Black Friday, matching (if not beating) the level of discount you'd find during any other major shopping event. This is partly because Black Friday happens months after most manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, Google, and Apple have launched new devices. With the amount of time that has passed, you'll often see the more recent phones discounted by a good amount at this time. iPhones are cheaper during this time because carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T offer competitive trade-in and sign-on promotions. As long as you read the fine print about the qualifications, most of these deals will cover the retail cost of the new iPhone. You'll just have to agree to a long-term installment plan that ranges between 24 months to 36 months. While Amazon has traditionally been the most competitive with its Black Friday smartphone deals, other retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target have caught up in recent years. In fact, we're seeing top offers available across a variety of stores versus just one, which is a good thing for the retail landscape. That said, I'd highly advise scanning the catalogs of the manufacturers themselves, such as Samsung , Motorola , Google , and Apple . Beyond discounts to the retail cost, manufacturers often bundle free wireless earbuds, chargers, and other accessories with your purchase. Since you're purchasing directly from the manufacturer, you'll also have a direct line with their customer support, should any problems with the product arise. While Black Friday's online presence has risen exponentially over the past decade, Cyber Monday was the original "online only" commerce event. Still, you'll find deals in-store and online for both occasions. In some cases, retailers will list new deals during Cyber Monday, especially for products or inventory that didn't sell as much during Black Friday a few days earlier. ZDNET chooses Black Friday deals based on the percentage of discount compared to the original price ($5 off a $20 item is just as good as $250 off a $1,000 item), how significant the discount is compared to pricing history, and whether our experts have tested and recommended the product. We also look at deals from a wider scope, considering better alternatives, unique use cases, stock, and existing customer reviews on websites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Reddit. The best deals will save you a decent amount of money while giving you a truly worthwhile product. There's no beating in-person shopping that begins on the eve of Black Friday, and retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart have made it a point to reward those who do. However, you can still find similar discounts online -- and with a higher chance of securing a product before it's snatched by someone else. Besides big-box retailers, most carriers and e-commerce brands will also host some form of Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion; simply visit your preferred destinations and see what's available. It won't hurt to try. ZDNET's experts have been searching through Black Friday sales live now to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Black Friday deals so far, by category: Black Friday TV deals Black Friday phone deals Black Friday laptop deals Black Friday gaming PC deals Black Friday smartwatch and fitness tracker deals Black Friday Amazon deals Black Friday Best Buy deals Black Friday Walmart deals Black Friday Sam's Club deals Black Friday Apple deals Black Friday iPad deals Black Friday AirPods deals Black Friday Apple Watch deals Black Friday Kindle deals Black Friday streaming deals Black Friday soundbar and speaker deals Black Friday robot vacuum deals Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals Black Friday PlayStation deals And more Black Friday deals: Black Friday deals under $25 Black Friday deals under $100 Black Friday Samsung deals Black Friday Verizon deals Black Friday headphone deals Black Friday tablet deals Black Friday monitor deals Black Friday gaming deals Black Friday security camera deals Black Friday storage and SSD deals Black Friday portable power station deals Black Friday VPN deals Black Friday Chromebook deals Black Friday HP deals Black Friday Dell deals Black Friday Roku deals Black Friday Roborock deals Best Black Friday deals Black Friday phone deals Black Friday TV deals Black Friday laptop dealsDec 4 (Reuters) - Yelp (YELP.N) , opens new tab on Wednesday urged a federal appeals court to block a lawsuit by Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accusing the company of posting misleading notices on its online review site about crisis pregnancy centers, which provide services to pregnant women with the goal of preventing abortions. James Sigel, a lawyer for Yelp, told the three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the case was an exception to the usual rule that federal courts should not intervene in state court disputes because Paxton had brought the case in bad faith. He called it "a particularly egregious example of an attorney general retaliating against a company." U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson in Oakland, California, rejected that argument in February, finding that Yelp had not provided enough "concrete evidence" of Paxton's bad faith. Sigel said that Thompson should have allowed discovery on that issue. Lanora Pettit, a lawyer for Paxton, told the panel it was Yelp's burden to prove bad faith and that it could not do so "by speculating as to the subjective motivations" behind the lawsuit. Yelp sued Paxton in Oakland federal court in September 2023 after hearing Paxton intended to sue the company, which he did the next day in Texas. Paxton said that notices Yelp posted on the review pages for crisis pregnancy centers violated a Texas law against unfair business practices and sought unspecified money damages. A Texas state court judge dismissed Paxton's lawsuit not long after Thompson's ruling, but Paxton is appealing. The 9th Circuit judges, all appointed by Republican President-elect Donald Trump during his first term, appeared skeptical of Yelp's argument on Wednesday. "If you win on this, we're going to have cases filed every week in federal court saying, I do not like what that state attorney general is doing to me," Circuit Judge Daniel Bress said. He added that Texas' justice system appeared to be working for Yelp, since it was "doing well there so far." Circuit Judge Mark Bennett asked Pettit whether a federal court could ever intervene to stop a politically motivated action by a state prosecutor. As an example, he asked whether such intervention would be called for if there was strong evidence that a state attorney general sued a company because its CEO opposed gun rights. Pettit said that it might, but that there was no strong evidence that Paxton was singling out Yelp for political reasons. Crisis pregnancy centers offer pregnant women counseling, but usually do not clearly advertise their anti-abortion stance. In August 2022, Yelp began posting a notice on crisis pregnancy centers' pages stating: "This is a Crisis Pregnancy Center. Crisis Pregnancy Centers typically provide limited medical services and may not have licensed medical professionals onsite." In February 2023, Paxton and other Republican state attorneys general told Yelp the notice was misleading because it was posted on pages of centers that did have licensed medical professionals. The company, without conceding that the language was misleading, changed the notices to state that crisis pregnancy centers "do not offer abortions or referrals to abortion providers." Paxton said at the time that the new language was accurate. The case is Yelp v. Paxton, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 24-581. For Yelp: James Sigel of Davis Wright Tremaine For Paxton: Lanora Pettit of the Office of the Texas Attorney General Read more: US judge won't shield Yelp from Texas lawsuit over crisis pregnancy center notices Sign up here. Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Thomson Reuters Brendan Pierson reports on product liability litigation and on all areas of health care law. He can be reached at brendan.pierson@thomsonreuters.com.

Funds from a toll road may provide a permanent source of funding for the Tijuana River Valley and its crisis of environmental neglect. Democratic Sen. Steve Padilla introduced a bill this week to authorize allocating funds from the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry toll road to go toward restoring the Tijuana River Valley region, which is facing a massive sewage pollution crisis that has affected the health of its residents and the broader environment as well. SB 10 would expressly authorize funds from the toll road to be used for water treatment, environmental mitigation, and restoration of the Tijuana River Valley. The funds could be used to improve wastewater infrastructure and related projects to address the sewage crisis. “The crisis at the Tijuana River comes from decades of neglect,” said Senator Padilla in a statement . “We must explore every source of funding and every option available to us to finally put an end to the poison in the very air we breathe. We will no longer accept anything but the justice this community deserves.” Environmental organization American Rivers recently named the Tijuana River Watershed one of the ten most endangered rivers in America, citing decades of raw sewage, toxic waste, and neglect. We have launched our year-end campaign. Our goal: Raise $50,000 by Dec. 31. Help us get there. Times of San Diego is devoted to producing timely, comprehensive news about San Diego County. Your donation helps keep our work free-to-read, funds reporters who cover local issues and allows us to write stories that hold public officials accountable. Join the growing list of donors investing in our community's long-term future. Further, a study conducted by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has found that coastal water pollution transfers to the atmosphere in sea spray aerosol, which can reach people beyond just beachgoers, surfers, and swimmers — increasing the risk of exposure and illness to a greater area of coastal communities. “In August, our City Council took a decisive step by unanimously approving a resolution to establish a long-term environmental mitigation fund, leveraging the new Otay Mesa East Port of Entry, to specifically address the pollution impacts of transboundary sewage flows from the Tijuana River,” said Imperial Beach mayor Paloma Aguirre. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Senator Padilla for championing this critical issue as legislation today and for his unwavering advocacy for our communities. I strongly urge California legislators to stand with us and support this vital bill.” Senate Bill 10 is supported by a broad coalition of environmental justice and community organizations. It will be heard in the Senate in the coming months. Get Our Free Daily Email Newsletter Get the latest local and California news from Times of San Diego delivered to your inbox at 8 a.m. daily. Sign up for our free email newsletter and be fully informed of the most important developments.Fighter Conor McGregor is being ‘strongly advised’ to consider taking an extended break away from Ireland, sources have told Extra.ie. Last month, Nikita Hand , who accused the sportsman of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a case at the High Court in Dublin. Ms Hand sought damages for assault, rape against McGregor and his friend James Lawrence. A jury found she had been assaulted by Mr McGregor but not by Mr Lawrence. The jury awarded damages of €248,603 against Mr McGregor. In the days following the civil action verdict, major retailers across the UK and Ireland stopped selling alcoholic drinks associated with McGregor . Other endorsement deals, like ones with popular video games manufacturer, IO Interactive, were also quick to drop the MMA star after the defeat in court. ‘Let’s be clear Conor isn’t exactly the type to run from a fight. But this is the fight of his life,’ said a source close to the fighter. ‘The news cycle here is constant, whereas in somewhere like America it’s not really a big story and he can have space to retain and regroup,’ the person said. ‘But — and here’s the big but — it’s doomed if he stays and damned if he goes. So that’s the tough choice he has to make. For his own sake and his family.’ The commercial backlash against McGregor has already seen a number of businesses cut ties with him in the wake of the court case. The likes of Musgrave, Tesco and the BWG Group quickly cut ties with him after the result of the court case. In a statement, a spokesman for Musgrave said: ‘Musgrave can confirm these products are no longer available to our store network.’ The network includes SuperValu, Centra, Daybreak and Mace. It is understood that other retail outlets including Costcutter and Carry Out will also stop stocking products linked to Mr McGregor. And it’s not just in Ireland, the UK’s largest independent drinks retailer, LWC Drinks revealed that it ‘does not want to be associated’ with him. In a statement released to MailOnline , it said that it will be joining the growing industry-wide shunning of Conor McGregor-affiliated drinks, including Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey and Forged stout. Supplying over 15,000 UK businesses with their alcohol products, the announcement from LWC comes as the latest in a spate of recent blows to the Irish fighter’s commercial brand. The decision to cease its sale of, and association with, both Proper 12 Irish Whiskey and Forged Irish Stout comes after McGregor lost his civil rape case against Nikita Hand in Irish court last month. That the fallout has spread to other regions has come as a ‘massive blow’ to McGregor. ‘It’s relentless. And the backlash isn’t showing any sign of levelling out. If anything it’s gathering pace,’ explained the source. In a scathing statement shared with MailOnline, LWC drinks said that it does not want to be ‘associated’ with the former two-division UFC champion and his stout product. The statement in full read: ‘In light of Friday’s civil court ruling against Conor McGregor, LWC, the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler has taken the necessary legal steps to terminate its agreement to distribute Forged Irish Stout. ‘We are consulting with our customers to support them in the replacement of Forged draught taps. LWC does not want to be associated with Conor McGregor or Forged Irish Stout’. LWC decision to dump McGregor’s drinks brand came just days after UK food delivery severe Ocado and supermarket chains Tesco and Asda followed in Irish retailers’ decision to remove his brand and affiliated products from their shelves. Additionally, the Irish branch of prominent pub chain JD Wetherspoon announced last week that they too would be removing Conor McGregor’s affiliated alcoholic beverages from their pubs in Ireland.’ ’This isn’t a fight he can win at this press moment. So at this stage, it’s best to keep the head down, get his head together and that simply isn’t an option in Ireland where it’s the biggest news story in a very small town. So getting out of dodge is really the best option, all things considered.’ On Thursday (December 6) the High Court will hold a hearing on legal costs for the civil case taken by Ms Hand. The case had been due to be heard on Thursday, November 28 but Mr Justice Alexander Owens agreed to delay it by one week. The losing side pays their own legal costs and those of the successful party. The court has the discretion to depart from this general rule if persuaded that the justice of the case requires this and there are special circumstances.

Location-Based Services Market to grow by USD 296.3 billion (2024-2028), driven by rising demand for navigation services; Report on AI-driven market evolution - TechnavioIn keeping with a long-standing Thanksgiving tradition, President Joe Biden recently pardoned a pair of turkeys . During a ceremony at the White House, the birds — named Peach and Blossom — were spared from the dinner table and given a new lease on life. While it was an act of pure political pageantry, it highlights the president’s expansive pardon powers — which could be used liberally during his final two months in office. Historically, presidents have issued numerous pardons during their lame duck periods, including quite a few that have raised eyebrows. Here is what to know about presidential pardons. Presidential pardon power Article II of the Constitution enables the president to grant clemency for any federal crime, according to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report. This authority is rooted in an old English law that permits monarchs to bestow mercy on criminals. “The president’s power to pardon is astronomical,” Taylor Stoermer, a historian at Johns Hopkins University, told McClatchy News. “The Constitution doesn’t even require an explanation. The only real limits are that it doesn’t apply to state crimes or impeachment cases.” “So the president can grant full pardons, commute sentences, or even offer amnesty, on an individual basis or for an entire class of people,” Stoermer said. How often do presidents grant clemency? Most presidents have issued numerous acts of clemency throughout their terms in office, according to historians. For example, Donald Trump, during his first term, granted 143 pardons and 94 commutations, according to the Pew Research Center. During Barack Obama’s eight years in office, he issued 212 pardons and 1,715 commutations. Among the commutations granted by both men were multiple that concerned low-level drug offenses , such as possession of marijuana. However, these acts of clemency have not typically been distributed evenly throughout a president’s tenure. Since 1945, every president — with the exception of Lyndon Johnson — granted clemency at a higher rate during the last four months of their terms, according to CRS. For example, Obama granted an average of 296 acts of clemency per month during his final four months in office, compared with an average of eight per month before that. Similarly, Trump issued an average of 50 per month during the last four months compared with an average of one per month before that. “Trump certainly kept to that pattern, and I would not be surprised if Biden does as well,” Thomas Balcerski, a presidential historian at Eastern Connecticut State University, told McClatchy News. Additionally, these 11th hour acts of mercy tend to be the most controversial ones. “Most save the big, bold pardons for the end of their terms,” Stoermer said. “And because exactly why you’d think: No voters to answer to.” Controversial acts of clemency Throughout history, presidents have issued a fair number of pardons, commutations and acts of amnesty that have received widespread scrutiny. “The most famous, of course, is Gerald Ford’s pardoning of Richard Nixon,” Vernon Burton, an emeritus history professor at Clemson University, told McClatchy News. In September 1974, following the Watergate scandal and Nixon’s resignation, Ford issued a full pardon for any crimes Nixon “committed or may have committed” against the United States. Jimmy Carter also took flak for pardoning “all of the Vietnam War draft dodgers,” Burton said. “That was huge.” This pardon, issued on Carter’s first day in office in 1977, applied to roughly 100,000 military-age men who avoided going to war , according to Politico. “Then there’s George H.W. Bush pardoning key players in Iran-Contra,” Stoermer said. With less than one month until he left office, Bush pardoned six people , including a former secretary of defense, wrapped up in the illegal arms scandal. More recently, Obama reduced the sentence of Oscar Lopez Rivera, a Puerto Rican activist whose political organization was responsible for dozens of robberies and bombings in the U.S. And Trump preemptively pardoned adviser Steven Bannon, who was charged with bilking donors out of money they gave toward the construction of a border wall. “These kinds of moves show how the pardon power can get tangled up in political strategy or personal connections — and that’s what makes it fascinating (or infuriating) to watch,” Stoermer said. Have presidents pardoned family members? Given that Biden’s son Hunter Biden has been convicted of felony offenses , some have wondered whether he will issue a pardon before he leaves office. “Would he pardon Hunter Biden? That’d be quite something,” Balcerski said. “There is some precedent.” On his last day in office, President Bill Clinton issued a pardon for his half-brother Roger Clinton, who had pleaded guilty to a cocaine distribution charge. “That was slightly less impactful because Roger Clinton had already served the time,” Stoermer said. “So that was mostly about clearing his record than dodging accountability.” Biden, though, has said he has no plans to grant clemency to his son. Could Trump break the mold? Trump could break with long-standing tradition of issuing controversial pardons at the end of his term, historians said. The president-elect has vowed to pardon some of the people convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot on his first day in office. “I am inclined to pardon many of them ,” he wrote on social media in March, according to ABC News. Throughout the country, about 1,500 people have been charged in connection with the riot, including about 547 who were charged with “assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees.” “It wouldn’t be surprising to see an unprecedented wave of pardons right out of the gate, particularly for January 6 rioters,” Stoermer said. “That would take the use of the pardon power into completely uncharted territory.” “Of course, there is a precedent: Carter’s first-day pardon of draft evaders of the Vietnam era,” Stoermer said. “That applied to hundreds of thousands of people. But that’s not quite the same as a coup.” ©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.After Trump’s win, Black women are rethinking their role as America’s reliable political organizers

WCM-Q pre-medical students visit HMC to learn about medical physics

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy took part in some light throwing on Monday after missing his first career game because of an injury and the 49ers are hoping he can return this week. Purdy hurt his throwing shoulder during a loss to Seattle on Nov. 17. Purdy underwent two MRIs last week that showed no structural damage. But Purdy he felt discomfort after making a few throws at practice on Thursday and was shut down for the game at Green Bay on Sunday that San Francisco lost 38-10 . Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Purdy made it through the session without pain and will rest on Tuesday and hopefully be able to return to practice on Wednesday as the Niners prepare to play at Buffalo this coming week. “We rested it throughout the weekend hoping that would help,” Shanahan said. “He threw lighter today to see if that rest helps and the rest did help him. So we’ll see again, going through the same things we did last week. We’re going to let him rest all the way up to Wednesday. We’ll see how it feels on Wednesday and then we’ll take the exact same course throughout the week. Hopefully it responds better this week than it did last week with the rest.” Brandon Allen went 17 for 29 for 199 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble in his first start since the 2021 season. Allen would play once again if Purdy is unable to go on Sunday at Buffalo. Purdy wasn't the only star player missing for the 49ers on Sunday with defensive end Nick Bosa missing the game with injuries to his left hip and oblique and left tackle Trent Williams out with an ankle injury. “Just waiting to see how they respond,” Shanahan said. “They didn’t respond great last week. That’s why they weren’t able to go. Nick and Trent are both in the same boat. ... We’ll evaluate as this week progresses and hopefully it turns a better corner than it did last week.” In other injury news, linebacker Dre Greenlaw will return to practice this week for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon in the Super Bowl last season. Greenlaw will likely need at least a couple of weeks of practice before being able to return to play. Offensive lineman Jon Feliciano will be shut down for the rest of the season after his knee injury didn't fully heal. Feliciano's three-week practice window ended Monday and the Niners decided to keep him on injured reserve instead of activating him. Left guard Aaron Banks, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott and receiver Jacob Cowing all remain in concussion protocol to start this week and their status is unknown. Right guard Dominick Puni (shoulder) and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee) underwent MRIs on Monday and the team is waiting for results. Cornerback Renardo Green (neck) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) are day to day. Defensive tackle Kevin Givens is expected to return to practice this week after missing the past four games with a groin injury. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cardinals' feel-good month comes to a screeching halt after a head-scratching loss to SeahawksGretchen McKay | (TNS) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Beans are kind of like the your best friend from high school — nearly forgotten but always ready to step back into the limelight and help out an old pal when needed. As gorgeously (and tantalizingly) demonstrated in Rancho Gordo’s new cookbook, “The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans” (Ten Speed, $35), beans are indeed a magical fruit, though not in the way you heard as a kid. Classified as both a vegetable and a plant-based protein in the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, beans and other legumes can be the ingredient you build an entire vegetarian or veggie-forward meal around. Or, they can help an economical cook stretch a dish twice as far with nutritious calories. A healthful and shelf-staple plant food — they last for years when dried — beans have been among a home cook’s most reliable pantry items for a very long time. (Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are thought to have been grown in Mexico more than 7,000 years ago.) That’s why, for some, they’re often something of an afterthought, especially if the only time you ate them as a kid was when your mom tossed kidney beans into a pot of beef chili or made baked beans (with brown sugar and bacon, please!) for a family cookout. Vegetarians have always appreciated their versatility and nutritional punch, and because they’re cheap, they also were quite popular during the Great Depression and World War II as C rations. Sales also peaked during the coronavirus pandemic, when shoppers stockpiled long-lasting pantry essentials. It wasn’t until Rancho Gordo, a California-based bean company, trotted out its branded packages of colorful heirloom beans that the plant began to take on cult status among some shoppers. Unlike the bean varieties commonly found in even the smallest grocery stores, heirloom beans are mostly forgotten varieties that were developed on a small scale for certain characteristics, with seeds from the best crops passed down through the generations. The result is beans that are fresher and more colorful than mass-produced beans, and come in different shapes and sizes. They also have a more complex and intense flavor, fans say. “The Bean Book” dishes up dozens of different ways to cook Rancho Gordo’s 50 heirloom bean varieties, which include red-streaked cranberry beans, mint-green flageolets, black and classic garbanzos and (my favorite) vaquero — which wear the same black-and-white spots as a Holstein cow. Other gotta-try varieties (if just for the name) include eye of the goat, European Soldier, Jacob’s Cattle and Good Mother Stallard, a purple bean with cream-colored flecks. “The very good news is that you have to work extra hard to mess up a pot of beans, and it’s not difficult to make an excellent pot,” Steve Sando writes in the book’s foreword. “The even better news is that you become a better cook with each pot you make.” Not convinced? Here are five reasons to jump on the bean bandwagon: Even the smallest grocery store will have a selection of dried and canned beans. Common varieties include black, cannellini (white kidney), Great Northern, pinto, navy, kidney, Lima and garbanzo (chickpea) beans. Even when they’re not on sale, beans are a bargain at the supermarket. Many varieties cost less than $1 a can, and dried beans are an economical way to build a menu. I paid $1.25 for a one-pound bag of cranberry beans, a smooth and velvety bean with a slightly nutty flavor, at my local grocery store. Rancho Gordo’s heirloom beans cost substantially more. (They run $6.25-$7.50 for a one-pound bag, with free shipping on orders over $50.) But they are sold within a year of harvest, which makes them more flavorful and tender. A bag also comes with cooking instructions and recipe suggestions, and the quality is outstanding. Plus, after cooking their beans with aromatics, “you are left with essentially free soup,” Sando writes in the cookbook. “If you drain properly cooked and seasoned beans, the liquid you are left with is delicious.” Beans are a great source of plant-based protein and both soluble and insoluble fiber, and they include essential minerals like iron, magnesium and potassium. If you’re watching your weight or following a particular diet, beans are naturally free of fat, sodium and cholesterol and are rich in complex carbohydrates. They also contain antioxidants and folate. And if you’re vegan or vegetarian, most types of dry beans are rich sources of iron. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating 1-3 cups of legumes, including beans, per week Dry beans have to be soaked overnight, but cooking them is easy. They can be cooked on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, in the pressure cooker and in the oven. Canned beans are even easier — just rinse and drain, and they’re ready to go. Beans can be used in so many different dishes. They can be made into soup, salad or dips, top nachos, add some heft to a casserole or be mashed into the makings of a veggie burger. You also can add them to brownies and other baked goods, toss them with pasta, add them to chili or a rice bowl or stuff them into a taco or burrito. Check out these four recipes: PG tested This light and creamy vegetarian soup benefits from a surprising garnish, roasted shiitake mushrooms, which taste exactly like bacon. For soup 1/4 cup olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 1 medium carrot, scrubbed and chopped 6 garlic cloves, finely grated or pressed 2 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for garnish 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 4 cups vegetable broth 2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed For bacon 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, caps cut into 1/8 -inch slices 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt To finish Plant-based milk Chili oil, for drizzling Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Make soup: In large pot, heat oil over medium heat until it shimmers. Add onion, celery, carrot, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are fragrant and tender, 8-10 minutes. Add vegetable stock and beans, increase heat to high and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until thickened, 12-14 minutes. Meanwhile, make the bacon: Spread shiitake mushrooms into a single layer on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Bake until browned and crispy, 18-20 minutes, rotating pan front to back and tossing mushrooms with a spatula halfway through. Let cool in pan; mushrooms will continue to crisp as they cool. To finish, add some milk to the soup and use an immersion blender to puree it in the pot, or puree in a blender. (Cover lid with a clean kitchen towel.) Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Divide soup among bowls and top with shiitake bacon. Garnish with thyme sprigs and a drizzle of chili oil. Serves 4-6. — “Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking” by Joe Yonan PG tested Velvety cranberry beans simmered with tomato and the punch of red wine vinegar are a perfect match for a soft bed of cheesy polenta. This is a filling, stick-to-your-ribs dish perfect for fall. 1/4 cup olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 cups canned chopped tomatoes, juice reserved 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth 4 fresh sage leaves Salt and pepper 4 cups cooked Lamon or cranberry beans 2 cups uncooked polenta 6 ounces pancetta, diced Chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving In large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and red wine vinegar. In a small bowl, dissolve tomato paste in the broth and add to pan. Stir in sage and season with salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened, 15-20 minutes. Add beans to tomato sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, until heated through, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare polenta according to package instructions. Place pancetta in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the pancetta is brown and crisp, about 15 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer pancetta to a paper towel to drain. To serve, spoon polenta into serving dishes. Ladle the beans over the polenta and top with the pancetta. Garnish with fresh basil and serve with grated Parmesan. Serves 6. — “The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans” by Steve Sando PG tested Beans and seafood might seen like an unusual pairing, but in this recipe, mild white beans take on a lot of flavor from clams. Spanish chorizo adds a nice contrast. 4 cups cooked white beans, bean broth reserved 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 white onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1/2 cup finely chopped Spanish-style cured chorizo 2 plum tomatoes, chopped 1/2 cup dry white wine 2 pounds small clams, scrubbed well Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish Country-style bread and butter, for serving In large pot, heat beans in their broth over medium-low heat. In large lidded saucepan, warm olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onion, garlic and salt and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add chorizo and cook gently until some of the fat has rendered, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and wine and cook to allow the flavors to mingle, 5-6 minutes. Increase heat to medium and add clams. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally. Uncover the pan and cook until all of the clams open, another few minutes. Remove pan from heat, then remove and discard any clams that failed to open. Add clam mixture to the bean pot and stir very gently until well mixed. Simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to mingle but not get mushy. Ladle into large, shallow bowls and sprinkle with parsley. Set out a large bowl for discarded shells and encourage guests to eat with their fingers. Pass plenty of good bread and creamy butter at the table Serves 4-6. — “The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans, from the Rancho Gordo Kitchen” by Steve Sando with Julia Newberry PG tested So easy to pull together for your next party! 1 1/2 cups cooked cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Juice and zest of 1 lemon 1 small garlic clove, minced Generous pinch of salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 or 3 tablespoons water, if needed 2 fresh basil leaves, chopped, optional 1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves chopped, optional In a food processor, pulse cannellini beans, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, salt and several grinds of pepper until combined. If it’s too thick, slowly add the water with the food processor running until it is smooth and creamy. Blend in the basil and/or rosemary, if using Serve with veggies, pita or bruschetta. Makes 1 1/2 cups — Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette ©2024 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.