URNM: A Uranium ETF With Upside Potential

Timothy Alexander wrote a new postPetrol pump worker shot dead by guard over minor issue

Article content Christmas is looking sparse and uncertain for more than 60 residents — including about 25 children — displaced by the city’s shutdown of the Edmonton apartment building where a security guard was killed Dec. 6. Boards were nailed over windows Monday as the City of Edmonton declared the 36-unit building at 10603 107 Ave. unsafe for human habitation. As recently as Sunday night, there was an overdose in the building — and residents say another security guard had been attacked with bear spray just days before security guard Harshandeep Singh, 20, was shot to death in a stairwell. Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux, both 30, have been charged with first-degree murder and possessing a prohibited weapon in relation to Singh’s death. ‘Serious safety concerns’ David Jones, manager of the City of Edmonton community standards branch, said the difficult decision to displace residents two days before Christmas was made in consultation with the Residential Inspection Safety Compliance Team (RISC), the Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, Alberta Health Services, and Occupational Health and Safety. “The building has been the site of numerous violations, and we have been provided with substantial evidence of non-compliance with business licensing conditions that were put in place to protect people living in and visiting the building,” said Jones in a Monday afternoon statement. “After a thorough assessment by our city’s Residential Inspection Safety Compliance team ... we determined that immediate action was needed to protect building residents. “The safety and well-being of residents, neighbors and the community is our top concern. Unfortunately, safety concerns have escalated with two separate shooting incidents, one resulting in a fatality, and conditions in the building have deteriorated in the past month,” he said. “This decision was not taken lightly, but ultimately this is not a safe space for the residents, especially children and their families. The building poses an imminent risk to residents, those visiting the building and the public in the immediate area.” He said the city, in partnership with the Government of Alberta and the Canadian Red Cross, is providing immediate temporary housing and transportation for all evacuated residents. The City of Edmonton is the entity responsible to carry out the emergency order under Section 551 of the Municipal Government Act to immediately close the property, relocate the residents and board up the building. “Specific issues impacting the safety and well-being of residents include significant safety and security concerns, building management, neglect of those concerns, inadequate maintenance and an active pest infestation, to name a few,” said Jones. “The safety and security issues were tragically emphasized on December 6, when a security guard working at the building was shot and killed on site. Since then, the city has received concerning information, leading us to conclude that the safety and security of the building have not improved, and that there remains a serious risk of harm to people living in or visiting the building. “Until the safety, security and public health issues are addressed, the property poses an imminent and unacceptable safety risk.” Jones added that the city is doing everything it can to move resident families and individuals into safe, temporary housing, and is working with partners to secure long-term housing for them. “Any time a decision is made to evacuate people from their homes, the city applies great thought and consideration to the circumstances,” Jones said. The apartment building will remain closed until safety concerns are resolved and the property owner meets the business licence conditions for health, safety, and security. Businesses on the first floor in the same building are not impacted by the residential closure, Jones said. The city has had an open investigation on the property. “Significant efforts have been made to incentivize and compel building management to address concerns and incremental progress was being made. However, over the last five years and through 60 inspections, 25 citations have been issued in relation to the property and numerous serious issues remain unresolved,” said a Monday afternoon news release issued by the City of Edmonton. “The issues identified include significant safety and security concerns, neglect of maintenance, active pest infestations and other conditions that severely compromise the safety and well-being of residents,” the release said. ‘Always on guard’ Troubles beset the residents of the building before and after the fatal shooting of 20-year-old security guard Harshandeep Singh. Just days before the NorQuest College business major was slain in the stairwell, another security guard had been blasted with bear spray. “Three days before, another security guard got bear maced by somebody upstairs,” said Tammi Comeau, a building resident who called 911 after she and her son heard the Dec. 6 gunshots that led to Singh’s death. Now temporarily housed in a double-queen hotel room along Gateway Boulevard in south Edmonton, the Comeaus including their dog Fancy, await news from Homeward Trust of another rental property. Comeau said she felt huge relief leaving the building at the corner of 107 Avenue and 106 Street. “I was always on guard there,” she said. A rampant cockroach infestation wasn’t even the worst problem plaguing the residents. After the family moved into the building on their arrival from New Brunswick, it became clear their new home had issues. Comeau said she has administered Naloxone to revive one of her neighbours while crack and meth in the building were readily available and overdoses, including one Sunday night, were common. She said her family is also dealing with fixing their work truck after its windshield was smashed out but she feels for other families from the building who not only are displaced but have no Christmas tree or presents to put under it for their children. jcarmichael@postmedia.comExpert Outlook: Agilent Technologies Through The Eyes Of 4 Analysts

A FORMER supermarket worker has shared his list of the top five items to buy in the Christmas sales – and it’s “not all food”. Alasdair Baker has shared his expert advice on everything from yellow sticker bargains to budgeting like a pro. Advertisement 3 A former supermarket worker has shared his list of the top five items to buy in the Christmas sales Credit: Getty - Contributor The dad-of-two from Aldershot, Hampshire, who used to work at Morrisons, is already getting ready to nab deals during the festive interim period. He estimates to have saved around £750 this year and aims for the same in 2025. And he’s more than happy to share his secrets to getting the most for your buck – including the best items to purchase now, what to avoid and which supermarket he favours most and why. CHRISTMAS GOODS While most people might want to avoid any more festive purchases, this is actually the perfect time to plan for Crimbo 2025. Advertisement read more in money BEAT THE BLOAT From fatigue to wind and constipation - how to beat the post-Christmas bloat SUN SAVERS Three ways to make the most of your unwanted Christmas presents Alasdair said: “Take advantage of any Christmas-themed reductions, first and foremost. “Look for discounted decorations, wrapping paper, Christmas crackers, Christmas cards and anything else you might normally spend money on in December. “These types of things don’t have a shelf life and will be perfect for next Christmas." He also said that his Christmas crackers for this year had been bought for under £1 just after last year's festivities. Advertisement Most read in Money RUNNING DRY Fears supermarket Guinness shortage could mean NO supplies for New Year’s Eve 'SAD NEWS' 'Genuinely gutted' cry locals as popular Scots eatery announces sudden closure SHOP SHOCK Iconic British high street chain forced to close ANOTHER store after 34 years Exclusive PAY BOOST 20 highest paying jobs in 2025 & you don't need a degree - you could earn £77k Alasdair added: “I’ve already seen Christmas cards priced between 10p and 50p in a supermarket convenience store, wrapping paper for 20p a roll. “Set a budget for this type of thing, as it is, after all, an ‘unnecessary expense’ as you don't need these things now. Tips to bag a bargain Here Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, shares her tips to bag a bargain today. Stock up and freeze: Many festive items, like meats, breads, hard cheeses, and even desserts, can be frozen for later use. This way, you’ll stretch your savings into the New Year. Get creative: Yellow sticker shopping can inspire inventive and seasonal meals. Use discounted ingredients to whip up something new and exciting for the family. Ask for further reductions: If you spot something you want, don’t hesitate to ask a staff member if it’s likely to be marked down again soon. Skip the stigma: There’s no shame in scoring a deal! Shopping smarter allows you to splurge on higher-quality items that might not usually fit your budget. Seasonal specials: Look out for markdowns on Christmas-specific items like turkeys, party platters, and festive sweets. These often carry the biggest discounts on Christmas Eve – alongside fresh foods like fruit, veg, and dairy. “I've bought a load of cheap Santa pasta, reduced from £2 to 20p, and that’ll be used for my kid's dinners; he doesn't care if he’s eating Santa pasta in March.” SUPERMARKET OWN BRAND CLOTHES Alasdair explained how there are "loads of reductions on clothing in supermarkets at the moment" which means it's a good time to grab great deals - including on children's wear. Advertisement He said: “[On the festive side], I’ll be buying a size up on Christmas jumper for my son, ready for Christmas 2025, and on things such as socks and pyjamas, when they are reduced so much, it doesn't matter if you're wearing Santa socks in July – if they're cheap and comfortable, then that's what matters.” GIFT SETS Alasdair bought coffee sets last year in the sale, which contained coffee, travel cups and chocolates. As it turned out, it worked out "cheaper to buy the gift set" due to its incredible discount instead of buying the coffee straight from the shelf. Other sets will be on offer too, which "make sense to buy over buying those products separately". Advertisement Alasdair added: “If buying with the intention of gifting, again, if you are on a strict budget, buying gift sets now for next year might not be financially viable, as they are ‘unnecessary expenses’ but if you can afford that extra expenditure, then it will save you money next year.” FOOD, FOOD, FOOD It appears to be an obvious, but there are many yellow sticker bargains to grab after Christmas. 3 Alasdair recommends looking for great loyalty card discounts for items Credit: Getty Alasdair said: "Although a lot of these deals have now gone, there are still deals to be had in the lead up to New Year and also just after. Advertisement “You're going to find supermarkets clearing out Christmas-specific food for the coming week or so." You should therefore "look out for yellow sticker discounts" on things like ready meals. This is because there are apparently “normally much less of these sold in the lead-up to Christmas, as many people who might normally be buying these have switched for festive food choices or are meeting up with others for meals and not cooking for themselves, and so the sales of the convenience ready meals drop down." And keep an eye out for discounted "healthier foods" as these also apparently sell less well at Christmas. Advertisement Alasdair added: “In the New Year, expect to find reduced-price NYE-themed items such as party food; this can be frozen and makes ‘interesting meals’ later on.” FOODS FOR THE FREEZER Alasdair recommends looking for great loyalty card discounts for items that can be frozen for coming months – even if you don’t fancy those dishes right now. He said: “Think about things like seasonal veg and meats (often at great prices that won’t be about in January when actually we all need those prices). “Cut up larger pieces of meat or fish into smaller bits and freeze for use at a later date. Advertisement “If you find cheap veg, and it's still around, par-cook it and freeze it, or make soup with it for cheap lunches.” WHAT TO AVOID IN THE SALES You’ll know best what you need in your fridge but as for money-savings, Alasdair has some top tips on goods that might not be the bargain you think. He said: “Party food is an expensive thing to be buying right now. “Yes, there may be buy-two-get-one-free type deals, but when you look at what you're buying, and what it’s costing you per kilo, then it's pretty eye-watering. Advertisement 3 Alasdair explained how there are 'loads of reductions on clothing in supermarkets at the moment' Credit: Getty “If you want to buy convenience foods, look for similar items in the everyday product ranges, over the dedicated party food ranges, both fresh and frozen. “You’ll often find it cheaper, and if you have a bit of time on your hands, make your own party food." WHICH SUPERMARKET IS BEST? Unsurprisingly, given he used to work there, Alasdair favours Morrisons for their reductions this year – which is his “first place to check”. Advertisement But he also recommends looking away from the big giants and visitinig “smaller convenience stores”, which people often forget about. He added: “Don't forget about other retailers too; I was out and about this Christmas and didn't get to shop for yellow stickers, which troubled my brain but on Christmas Eve I went on to the Amazon Fresh site and managed to grab two frozen turkeys for £5 each, with £20 off, which is a fab deal. “They are coming today (27 Dec) and they’ll be sat in the freezer waiting for either Christmas or maybe Easter.” As a final piece of advice, Alasdair urges people not to forget to use loyalty cards and cashback apps to save money. Advertisement He said: The savings will add up. “I’m suggesting people take up my cashback challenge in 2025, which is to use cashback services like TopCashback and Quidco and gift card services like JamDoughnut to try and grab cashback on everything they buy or pretty much everything. Read more on the Scottish Sun 'DISGUSTING' Festive fly-tippers slammed for dumping mountains of rubbish at Scots Asda GHOST TOWN Former Scots shopping hotspot 'decaying' as multimillion pound revamp ‘failing’ “If you adopt the cashback way of life – [as in] always look for a way of grabbing cashback on what you are buying, for the whole year – I think you’ll easily save enough to pay for all your Christmas food and likely a chunk of your gifts as well, and all for just buying what you were going to buy anyway. “Its a no-brainer.” Advertisement 5 Money-saving tips for autumn/winter 1. Draught-proof your home It takes time and money to heat up your home, so it’s important that you do as much as you can to keep in the warmth. Close your doors and windows, and fill any gaps with a draught excluder. 2. Dial down your thermostat According to Energy UK, turning down your thermostat by just one degree Celsius could cut your heating bill by up to 10%, and save you around £85 per year. Plus, if you don’t have a thermostat, installing one could save up to £70 per year! 3. Move furniture around Make sure not big, bulky furniture like sofas are blocking radiators. 4. Wash clothes on a lower temp and add an extra spin Unless it's bedding, towels or really dirty items, dial down the temperature to 20 or 30 degrees, and do a double spin to remove excess water. 5. Heat the person not the home There's not point heating up a room that no one is sitting in, so be mindful about which radiators are on.

ABQQ Reports FY 2024 Audited Financial Results, Introduces FY 2025 Outlook, Announces to Repurchase $5 Million of Shares by Year-End 2025

Trump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don’t expect big revelations

On December 4, 2024 (KST), Dua Lipa performed the first night of her two-night concert in Seoul—after a bit of confusion from the panic that swept the nation as President Yoon Suk Yeol declared and then lifted martial law. Despite the political tension in the air, the pop star put on an unforgettable show for her fans in Korea . For SNL Korea star and TV personality Kwon Hyuk Soo , though, the show might be unforgettable for a whole different reason. While watching the show, Kwon posted several Instagram Stories showing Dua Lipa on stage. In the first one, Kwon referred to Dua Lipa as “ Ratatouille .” In the last one, after referring to her as Dua Lipa in the second, Kwon then wrote, “Stay still, Mapo Tofu. Let oppa take some pictures of you.” “So which one is Ratatouille?” “Oh, it’s Dua Lipa, I see...” “Mapo Tofu!!! Stay still. Let oppa take some pictures of you!!” When spoken in Korean, Dua Lipa, ratatouille, and mapo tofu all become four-lettered names. Some recognized this as humor, commenting that Kwon might have been attempting what SEVENTEEN S.Coups fans do when teasing the idol, calling him different four-lettered names (S.Coups is also a four-lettered name in Korean). It’s Official — SEVENTEEN’s S.Coups Picks His Favorite Nickname To Hail From The Internet Regardless, most became offended by the Stories and called out Kwon’s rudeness toward the pop star. “The whole oppa comment is the worst part.” “F*cking rude... Who does he think he is?” “I loved her concert so much, so this pisses me off even more. How dare he?” “The kind of person he is...” “How rude.” “ Oppa , my a*s. Makes me want to puke. Disgusting” “Ew.” “...” “Was he trying to use the S.Coups nickname thing? It backfired...” “Ugh.” Kwon has not responded to the criticism growing online.Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of Christmas

NoneBy CHARLES ODUM No. 2 Georgia is resting its national championship hopes on backup quarterback Gunner Stockton following Carson Beck’s season-ending elbow surgery on Dec. 23. Coach Kirby Smart said Dec. 23 that Georgia is preparing Stockton to start in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against No. 3 Notre Dame. Stockton took over when Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half in the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Atlanta. Georgia announced later Dec. 23 that Beck had season-ending surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the right elbow. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Dec. 23. Beck is expected to begin throwing next spring. Georgia’s first-round bye in the playoffs has given Stockton, a sophomore, more time to prepare for his new starting role. Smart said the experience with the first-team is the primary benefit in “several practices” since the SEC championship game. “He got lots of reps prior to these practices, but he’s getting much more now,” Smart said. “I do think ... when you get ready for an opponent like Notre Dame, you need time and we have time.” The Fighting Irish advanced by beating Indiana 27-17 in the first round on Dec. 20. Smart said Stockton and Georgia can focus on Notre Dame. “But I think the biggest thing is just competition at practice,” Smart said. “You know, the situations we put him in. All those things allow him to get better as a quarterback.” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Stockton will require adjustments by his defense. “You evaluate, obviously, what they’ve done all season and you have a separate tape of what Stockton has done,” Freeman said Dec. 23. “I think we have 80-something plays of him. He can run their offense. He does things a little bit differently. He can extend plays with his legs, he’s a good athlete. The thing I probably noticed most about him, he’s an ultra-competitive individual.” Georgia announced on Dec. 9 that Beck and his family were considering treatment options for his elbow. Beck suffered the injury to his throwing arm in the first half of the SEC championship game and made a dramatic return to the field for the handoff on the game-winning play in overtime. Stockton had to leave the field for one play after having his helmet knocked off. Even though he was able to take the snap and hand off to Trevor Etienne for the running back’s decisive 4-yard touchdown run, Beck was unable to raise his right arm. Stockton’s job may get a little easier with Notre Dame defensive tackle Rylie Mills out. Freeman announced Dec. 23 that Mills will miss the rest of the season with a right knee injury he suffered against Indiana. Mills had 37 tackles and 7 1/2 sacks this season and anchored the interior line while All-American Howard Cross II missed the final three regular season games with a high ankle sprain. Cross returned against Indiana. It’s yet another blow to a defense that had already lost preseason All-America cornerback Benjamin Morrison and its top two rush ends with season-ending injuries. “You can’t replace Rylie Mills,” Freeman said. “Yes, the production, but the leadership, a captain, very similar to the things I said about Benjamin when he was out. You feel awful for him as a person, a guy that came back to improve his draft stock. You’ve got to replace what he did for our defense in different ways.” Stockton completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards with one interception against Texas. Smart downplayed the suggestion Stockton could give the Bulldogs more options as a running quarterback. “I think we are who we are in regards to that,” Smart said. “I mean, we played an entire season, offensively. You know, Gunner’s a good athlete. I think Carson is a good athlete. So it’s one of those deals that I don’t know how much that changes things.” Beck, a fifth-year senior, is 24-3 as a starter. He started all 26 games for the Bulldogs in 2023 and 2024. He passed for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2023 but had more difficulties with turnovers this season. Beck passed for 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions this season and completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards before his injury in the SEC championship game. AP Sports Writer Mike Marot contributed to this report. What: Sugar, CFP quarterfinal When: 8:45 p.m., Jan. 1 Where: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans Records: Notre Dame 12-1, Georgia 11-2 TV: ESPNPolice release new photos as they search for the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO NEW YORK (AP) — Two law enforcement officials say a masked gunman who stalked and killed the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies on a Manhattan sidewalk used ammunition emblazoned with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose." The official were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke Thursday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Police also released photos of a person they say is wanted for questioning in the ambush the day before of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The words on the ammunition may have been a reference to tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying claims. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are bringing Trump's DOGE to Capitol Hill WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s DOGE time at the U.S. Capitol. Billionaire Elon Musk and fellow business titan Vivek Ramaswamy spent several hours meeting with lawmakers, swapping ideas for how to cut government. The two are heading up President-elect Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, with its plans to “dismantle” the federal government. Trump tapped the duo to come up with ways for firing federal workers, cutting government programs and slashing federal regulations — all part of Trump's agenda for a second-term at the White House. For hours they listened as lawmakers shared ideas. House Speaker Mike Johnson said there's going to be “a lot of change” in Washington. House rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics report WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has shut down Democrats’ efforts to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz. The party line vote pushes the fate of any resolution to the yearslong investigation of sexual misconduct allegations into further uncertainty. Democrats had been pressing for the findings to be published even though the Florida Republican left Congress and withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Earlier Thursday, the Ethics panel met to discuss the Gaetz report but made no decision, saying in a short statement that the matter is still being discussed. Gaetz has repeatedly denied the claims. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif. was the sole Republican to vote in support of releasing the report. Hamas official says Gaza ceasefire talks have resumed after weekslong hiatus ISTANBUL (AP) — A Hamas official says that after a weekslong hiatus international mediators have resumed negotiating with the militant group and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he was hopeful a deal to end the 14-month war was within reach. Ceasefire negotiations were halted last month when Qatar suspended its talks with mediators from Egypt and the United States over frustration with a lack of progress between Israel and Hamas. But Bassem Naim, an official in Hamas’ political wing, said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press that there has been a “reactivation” of efforts to end the fighting, release hostages from Gaza and free Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Hegseth faces senators' concerns not only about his behavior but also his views on women in combat WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth has spent the week on Capitol Hill trying to reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Defense in the wake of high-profile allegations about excessive drinking and sexual assault. But senators in both parties have also expressed concern about another issue — Hegseth’s frequent comments that women should not serve in frontline military combat jobs. As he meets with senators for a fourth day Thursday, his professional views on women troops are coming under deeper scrutiny. Hegseth said this week that “we have amazing women who serve our military.” Pressed if they should serve in combat, Hegseth said they already do. Why the rebel capture of Syria's Hama, a city with a dark history, matters BEIRUT (AP) — One of the darkest moments in the modern history of the Arab world happened more than four decades ago, when then-Syrian President Hafez Assad launched what came to be known as the Hama Massacre. The slaughter was named for the Syrian city where 10,000 to 40,000 people were killed or disappeared in a government attack that began on Feb. 2, 1982, and lasted for nearly a month. Hama was turned into ruins. The memory of the assault and the monthlong siege on the city remains visceral in Syrian and Arab minds. Now Islamist insurgents have captured the city in a moment many Syrians have awaited for over 40 years. France's Macron vows to stay in office till end of term, says he'll name a new prime minister soon PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to stay in office until the end of his term in 2027 and announced that he will name a new prime minister within days. In his address to the nation on Thursday, Macron came out fighting, laying blame at the door of his opponents on the far right for bringing down the government of Michel Barnier. He said they chose “not to do but to undo” and that they “chose disorder.” The president also said the far right and the far left had united in what he called “an anti-Republican front.” He said he’ll name a new prime minister within days but gave no hints who that might be. 7.0 earthquake off Northern California prompts brief tsunami warning SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The National Weather Service has canceled its tsunami warning for the U.S. West Coast after there was a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. According to the U.S. Geological Survey on Thursday, at least 5.3 million people in California were under a tsunami warning after the earthquake struck. It was felt as far south as San Francisco, where residents felt a rolling motion for several seconds. It was followed by multiple smaller aftershocks. There were no immediate reports of major damage or injury. Yoon replaces the defense minister as South Korea's parliament moves to vote on their impeachments SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s president has replaced his defense minister as opposition parties moved to impeach both men over the stunning-but-brief imposition of martial law that brought armed troops into Seoul streets. Opposition parties are pushing for a vote on motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday evening. They hold 192 seats but need 200 votes for the motion to pass. Yoon’s office said he decided to replace Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun with Choi Byung Hyuk, a retired general who is South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Kim earlier apologized and said he ordered troops to carry out duties related to martial law. The Foreign Ministry also worked to mitigate the backlash and concern over South Korea's democracy. From outsider to the Oval Office, bitcoin surges as a new administration embraces crypto NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin burst on the scene after trust had withered in the financial system and Washington’s ability to protect people from it. Now, it’s Washington’s embrace of bitcoin that’s sending it to records. Bitcoin briefly surged above $103,000 after President-elect Donald Trump said he will nominate Paul Atkins, who's seen as friendly to crypto, to be the Securities and Exchange Commission's next chair. The crypto industry, meanwhile, did its part to bring politicians friendly to digital currencies into Washington. It's a twist from bitcoin's early days, when it was lauded as a kind of electronic cash that wouldn’t be beholden to any government or financial institution.FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — A jury convicted two men on Friday of charges related to human smuggling for their roles in an international operation that led to the deaths of a family of Indian migrants who froze while trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border during a 2022 blizzard. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, an Indian national who prosecutors say went by the alias “Dirty Harry,” and Steve Shand, 50, an American from Florida, were part of a sophisticated illegal operation that has brought increasing numbers of Indians into the U.S., prosecutors said. They were each convicted on four counts related to human smuggling, including conspiracy to bring migrants into the country illegally. “This trial exposed the unthinkable cruelty of human smuggling and of those criminal organizations that value profit and greed over humanity,” Minnesota U.S. Attorney Andy Luger said. “To earn a few thousand dollars, these traffickers put men, women and children in extraordinary peril leading to the horrific and tragic deaths of an entire family. Because of this unimaginable greed, a father, a mother and two children froze to death in sub-zero temperatures on the Minnesota-Canadian border,” Luger added. The most serious counts carry maximum sentences of up to 20 years in prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office told The Associated Press before the trial. But federal sentencing guidelines rely on complicated formulas. Luger said Friday that various factors will be considered in determining what sentences prosecutors will recommend. Federal prosecutors said 39-year-old Jagdish Patel; his wife, Vaishaliben, who was in her mid-30s; their 11-year-old daughter, Vihangi; and 3-year-old son, Dharmik, froze to death Jan. 19, 2022, while trying to cross the border into Minnesota in a scheme Patel and Shand organized. Patel is a common Indian surname, and the victims were not related to Harshkumar Patel. The couple were schoolteachers, local news reports said. The family was fairly well off by local standards, living in a well-kept, two-story house with a front patio and a wide veranda. Experts say illegal immigration from India is driven by everything from political repression to a dysfunctional American immigration system that can take years, if not decades, to navigate legally. Much is rooted in economics and how even low-wage jobs in the West can ignite hopes for a better life. Before the jury’s conviction on Friday, the federal trial in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, saw testimony from an alleged participant in the smuggling ring, a survivor of the treacherous journey across the northern border, border patrol agents and forensic experts. Defense attorneys were pitted against each other, with Shand’s team arguing that he was unwittingly roped into the scheme by Patel. Patel’s lawyers, The Canadian Press reported, said their client had been misidentified. They said “Dirty Hary,” the alleged nickname for Patel found in Shand’s phone, is a different person. Bank records and witness testimony from those who encountered Shand near the border didn’t tie him to the crime, they added. Prosecutors said Patel coordinated the operation while Shand was a driver. Shand was to pick up 11 Indian migrants on the Minnesota side of the border, prosecutors said. Only seven survived the foot crossing. Canadian authorities found two parents and their young children later that morning, dead from the cold. The trial included an inside account of how the international smuggling ring allegedly works and who it targets. Rajinder Singh, 51, testified that he made over $400,000 smuggling over 500 people through the same network that included Patel and Shand. Singh said most of the people he smuggled came from Gujarat state. He said the migrants would often pay smugglers about $100,000 to get them from India to the U.S., where they would work to pay off their debts at low-wage jobs in cities around the country. Singh said the smugglers would run their finances through “hawala,” an informal money transfer system that relies on trust. The pipeline of illegal immigration from India has long existed but has increased sharply along the U.S.-Canada border. The U.S. Border Patrol arrested more than 14,000 Indians on the Canadian border in the year ending Sept. 30, which amounted to 60% of all arrests along that border and more than 10 times the number two years ago. By 2022, the Pew Research Center estimates more than 725,000 Indians were living illegally in the U.S., behind only Mexicans and El Salvadorans.

ATHENS, N.Y. (AP) — Federal engineers will begin the process of preserving a functioning 150-year-old lighthouse that sits precariously on a mudflat in the middle of the Hudson River in New York, officials announced Monday. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and the Army Corps of Engineers said that $50,000 has been allocated to study how to protect the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse , which began operating in 1874 and was this year placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of the country’s 11 most endangered historic places. Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he believes the development is the next step to securing all the money needed to save the structure, which is only years away from starting to crumble into the river due to ongoing erosion, according to preliminary studies by a historic preservation group. “This is a landmark, it’s sort of like the Statue of Liberty in a certain sense, of the Hudson River,” Schumer told The Associated Press by phone after announcing the new funding at a riverfront park in Athens, New York, which has a view of the lighthouse. “When people see the lighthouse and learn its history, they learn the history of the country.” The Corps of Engineers will now meet with the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society, which owns the building and maintains it as a museum, and agree on a plan to fix the property, Schumer said. RELATED COVERAGE US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people Manchin, Sinema prevent Democrats from locking in majority on labor board through 2026 He said the millions of dollars needed to ultimately rebuild the small island and preserve it are “virtually certain” because it has been listed as a top priority for preservation. The lighthouse was built in the river 100 miles (161 kilometers) north of Manhattan to keep boats from running aground on mud flats between Athens, on the west side of the Hudson River, and the city of Hudson, on the east side. The lighthouse is still in use, though now with an automated LED beacon. It sits on roughly 200 wood pilings packed in mud beneath the water. Turbulence from passing commercial ships is washing away that mud and exposing the pilings to river water, accelerating decay. The society has proposed expanding the foundation the lighthouse is built on so that events can be held there and more visitors can walk on the island at once. It has been raising money to build a ring of corrugated steel designed to shield the structure from river turbulence. There were around 1,500 lighthouses in the U.S. at the beginning of the 20th century and only about 800 of them remain, according to the U.S. Lighthouse Society.

DALLAS (AP) — More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated , conspiracy theories still swirl and any new glimpse into the fateful day of Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas continues to fascinate . President-elect Donald Trump promised during his reelection campaign that he would declassify all of the remaining government records surrounding the assassination if he returned to office. He made a similar pledge during his first term, but ultimately bended to appeals from the CIA and FBI to keep some documents withheld. At this point, only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released, and those who have studied the records released so far say that even if the remaining files are declassified, the public shouldn't anticipate any earth-shattering revelations. “Anybody waiting for a smoking gun that’s going to turn this case upside down will be sorely disappointed,” said Gerald Posner, author of “Case Closed,” which concludes that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Friday's 61st anniversary is expected to be marked with a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. in Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy's motorcade was passing through when he was fatally shot. And throughout this week there have been events marking the anniversary. Nov. 22, 1963 When Air Force One carrying Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas , they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they had gone to Texas on political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald and, two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that hasn't quelled a web of alternative theories over the decades. The collection In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection of over 5 million records was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had boasted that he'd allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files have continued to be released during President Joe Biden's administration, some still remain unseen. The documents released over the last few years offer details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Mark S. Zaid, a national security attorney in Washington, said what's been released so far has contributed to the understanding of the time period, giving “a great picture” of what was happening during the Cold War and the activities of the CIA. Withheld files Posner estimates that there are still about 3,000 to 4,000 documents in the collection that haven’t yet been fully released. Of those documents, some are still completely redacted while others just have small redactions, like someone's Social Security number. There are about 500 documents where all the information is redacted, Posner said, and those include Oswald's and Ruby’s tax returns. “If you have been following it, as I have and others have, you sort of are zeroed in on the pages you think might provide some additional information for history,” Posner said. Trump's transition team hasn’t responded to questions this week about his plans when he takes office. A continued fascination From the start, there were those who believed there had to be more to the story than just Oswald acting alone, said Stephen Fagin, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the building where Oswald made his sniper's perch. “People want to make sense of this and they want to find the solution that fits the crime," said Fagin, who said that while there are lingering questions, law enforcement made “a pretty compelling case” against Oswald. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said his interest in the assassination dates back to the event itself, when he was a child. “It just seemed so fantastical that one very disturbed individual could end up pulling off the crime of the century," Sabato said. “But the more I studied it, the more I realized that is a very possible, maybe even probable in my view, hypothesis.”

Peraso Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSO) Among ONDS, JOBY, ACHR, UMAC with Game-Changing Drone Technology to Watch Now! 12-16-2024 10:12 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire Millimeter wave (mmWave) innovation and a small float spark investor excitement as Peraso Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSO) captures attention in the drone tech space. Peraso Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSO), a leader in millimeter wave (mmWave) technology, is making headlines with its cutting-edge innovations in wireless connectivity, specifically for surveillance drones. Leveraging high-speed, low-latency links, Peraso's technology is ideal for drones that require real-time data transfer, making it a game-changer in sectors like security, logistics, and remote monitoring. With a remarkably low float of just 3.9 million shares, Peraso Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSO) has become a high-potential stock to watch. To put this in perspective, the float is nearly 20 times smaller than that of Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS), which recently experienced a massive rally, climbing from $0.80 to $1.50 in a matter of weeks. This kind of volatility could signal a similar breakout opportunity for Peraso. The global drone market continues to expand at an unprecedented pace, driven by demand for advanced applications in both civilian and military sectors. Peraso's mmWave technology is uniquely positioned to serve this booming market, as it provides the ultra-fast data speeds and minimal latency essential for drones used in real-time surveillance, precision delivery, and beyond. Investors are Taking NoteThe combination of a small float, advanced technology, and growing market demand has led to increased interest from retail and institutional investors alike. Stocks with a limited float like Peraso Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSO) often see significant price movements when demand spikes, offering the potential for sharp gains in a short timeframe. Analysts Are Watching the Drone Boom The adoption of mmWave technology is becoming a cornerstone of the next generation of drone communication systems. With industries increasingly turning to autonomous solutions, companies like Peraso Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSO) are set to ride the wave of this transformation. As Peraso Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSO) continues to innovate and expand its influence in the drone tech sector, all eyes are on Peraso Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSO) as a potential breakout stock. With its affordable price point, compelling technology, and bullish market indicators, this is one ticker investors won't want to miss.Stay tuned for updates as the drone mystery unfolds and Peraso Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSO makes its mark in the world of advanced mmWave technology.Several stocks in the drone sector, including Peraso Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSO), Joby Aviation Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), Unusual Machines Inc. (NYSE: UMAC), Mobilicom Limited (NASDAQ: MOB), and Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS), have demonstrated notable momentum and deserve a spot on every investor's radar. Disclaimers: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides investors with a safe harbor with regard to forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, assumptions, objectives, goals, and assumptions about future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. 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