Jamie Dimon engages in policy talks with Donald Trump via secret back channels: Report

Kylie Kelce steps into spotlight with new talk show as she announces fourth pregnancyAbu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has become a prominent and controversial figure in Syria’s ongoing civil war. Despite his $10 million bounty on his head from the US government, he commands significant territory in northwest Syria and controls millions of displaced civilians. Al-Jolani's transformation from an al-Qaeda operative to the leader of HTS presents him as a pragmatist focused on removing the Assad regime and establishing Islamic governance in Syria. Here’s all about his rise, controversies, and leadership style. Leadership of HTS in Syria Abu Mohammad al-Jolani leads HTS, a group that controls half of Idlib province and parts of Aleppo, Latakia, and Hama. With nearly three million displaced people living under his rule, Jolani has built a reputation as a community leader, providing basic services such as health, education, and security. However, his past association with al-Qaeda, along with HTS's violent actions, keeps him on the US’s radar as a designated terrorist. Also Read : Star Wars: Skeleton Crew - When will it be available on Disney+? Jolani’s journey began in 2003 when he joined al-Qaeda to fight American forces in Iraq. He spent time in US military prisons before returning to Syria in 2011 to establish the al-Nusra Front. After falling out with both the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, Jolani consolidated various factions into HTS in 2017. He has since distanced himself from al-Qaeda’s global jihad, focusing solely on overthrowing the Assad regime and creating Islamic governance in Syria. While HTS claims to be moderate, reports of human rights violations continue to surround its operations. HTS Governance and Controversies Under Jolani’s leadership, HTS has implemented a technocratic system called the Salvation Government to manage the areas it controls. Although HTS presents itself as a more moderate faction compared to ISIS or Saudi Arabia, reports indicate the group has shown limited tolerance for dissent and has used brutal force to maintain power. Despite claims of moderation, such as limiting the authority of morality police, human rights organizations continue to raise concerns about the group’s treatment of prisoners and political opposition. 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Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, born Ahmed Hussein al-Shara, is the leader of the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria. He is a former al-Qaeda member who later distanced himself from the group and became one of the most powerful figures in northwest Syria, particularly in the Idlib province. What is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)? HTS is a jihadist group that controls parts of Syria, particularly in the northwest. Originally formed as the al-Nusra Front in 2011, it later rebranded and merged various factions. The group seeks to establish an Islamic state in Syria and is considered a terrorist organization by several countries, including the U.S. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations if they act to undermine US dollar

( MENAFN - Investor Brand Network) Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL, GOOG) , through Google, is a leading technology company specializing in internet-related services and products, including search engines, online advertising and cloud computing. The company faces competition from other tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon. Recently, google CEO Sundar Pichai announced a 10% reduction in managerial roles to boost efficiency. Alphabet's financial metrics provide insight into its market position. The company has a price-to-earnings (“P/E”) ratio of 25.04 , indicating investor expectations of future growth. A price-to-sales ratio of 6.94 and an enterprise value to sales ratio of 6.96 suggest that investors are willing to pay a premium for each dollar of sales, reflecting confidence in the company's revenue-generating capabilities. The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio of 22.50 highlights Alphabet's ability to generate cash from operations relative to its total valuation. This is crucial for maintaining operations and funding new projects. The earnings yield of 3.99% provides a measure of the return on investment for shareholders, which is a key consideration for potential investors. Alphabet's financial stability is further underscored by its debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03 , indicating low leverage and a conservative approach to debt. This low ratio suggests that the company relies more on equity than debt to finance its operations, reducing financial risk. Additionally, a current ratio of 1.95 points to a strong liquidity position, ensuring Alphabet can meet its short-term obligations comfortably. To view the company's latest earnings release, visit About Alphabet Inc. Alphabet is a collection of companies, the largest of which is Google. Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded Google in September 1998 and the company is headquartered in Mountain View, California. Billions of people use its wide range of popular products and platforms each day, like Search, Ads, Chrome, Cloud, YouTube and Android. For more information, visit the company's website at . About AINewsWire AINewsWire (“AINW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (“AI”), including the technologies, trends and trailblazers driving innovation forward. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers : (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries ; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets ; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact ; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers ; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions . With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, AINW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists, and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today's market, AINW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. AINW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. To receive SMS alerts from AINewsWire, text“AI” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information, please visit AINewsWire is powered by IBN MENAFN20122024000224011066ID1109018667 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Fake credentials offer novel solution to e-voting challengesNASA again pushes back astronaut flights to the moon

WillowWood Rebrand by DD.NYC Wins Gold Anthem Award for Product and Innovation in 2024 RebrandCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Two New Hampshire fathers who were barred from school district events for wearing pink wristbands marked “XX” to represent female chromosomes insisted at a federal court hearing Thursday that they didn't set out to harass or otherwise target a transgender soccer player who played on the team. But a judge hearing the case suggested the message the parents sent may matter more than their intentions. Kyle Fellers and Anthony Foote sued the Bow school district after being banned from school grounds for wearing the wristbands at their daughters' soccer game in September. The no-trespass orders have since expired, but a judge is deciding whether the plaintiffs should be allowed to wear the wristbands and carry signs at upcoming school events, including basketball games, swim meets and a music concert, while the case proceeds. Testifying at Thursday's hearing, both men said that they did not view the wristbands as a protest against Parker Tirrell, a transgender girl on the opposing team, but rather as a show of support for their daughters and their teammates. U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe questioned whether there is a meaningful distinction and whether their intentions matter. “Sometimes the message you think you’re sending might not be the message that is being sent,” he said. McAuliffe asked Foote whether it occurred to him that a transgender person might interpret the pink XX wristbands as an attempt to invalidate their existence. “If he’s a trans female, pink might be a color he likes,” Foote said. McAuliffe also noted that while both plaintiffs said they had no problem with transgender people outside the issue of sports, they repeatedly referred to the athlete in question as a boy. “You seem to go out of your way to suggest there’s no such thing as a trans girl,” McAuliffe said. Foote disagreed, saying it was “like learning a new language” to refer to transgender people. In a separate courtroom earlier Thursday, another judge held a hearing on a lawsuit brought by Parker Tirrell and another student challenging the state law that bans transgender athletes in grades 5 to 12 from teams that align with their gender identity. It requires schools to designate all teams as either girls, boys or coed, with eligibility determined based on students’ birth certificates “or other evidence.” That federal judge ruled earlier this year that the teens can try out for and play on girls school sports teams. The order only applies to those two individuals for now as they seek to overturn the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act on behalf of all transgender girl students in New Hampshire. Lawyers for the teens said in court Thursday they hoped the matter could go to trial and be resolved before the start of the next school year in September. They said the teens’ school districts and others in the state have asked for guidance regarding the statute. Lawyers for the state said they needed more time to prepare. Judge Talesha Saint-Marc suggested the timing of the trial was ambitious and asked that both sides talk further about scheduling. Gov. Chris Sununu, who signed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act into law in July, has said it “ensures fairness and safety in women’s sports by maintaining integrity and competitive balance in athletic competitions.” About half of states have adopted similar measures. In the Bow case, school district officials have said they acted appropriately in sanctioning the parents for conduct they knew violated school policy at athletic events. They'll explain their evidence on Friday. On Thursday, the plaintiff's lawyer, Endel Kolde, accused the district of “breathtaking” overreach by asserting that the wristbands target transgender students in general, regardless of whether such students were present at the events. “This is viewpoint discrimination, and it’s very clear they’re proud of it,” Kolde said. Kolde initially conceded that a school district can limit speech “to some degree” to protect children from harassment, but he stopped short of agreeing with the judge’s claim that yelling “transgender students out” at a particular player would be subject to such regulation. “It might be,” he said. “I’m trying to get you to concede the obvious,” McAuliffe said. “It’s less than obvious to me,” Kolde said. Feller, the first witness in the case involving the wristbands, said he purchased them thinking his daughter and her teammates would wear them, but ended up wearing one himself after they declined. After being told to leave the game, he stood in the parking lot with a sign that said “Protect women’s sports for female athletes.” “I wanted to support women’s sports and I believed what was going on was a travesty,” he said.

At California’s community colleges, conservative professors and students are making their voices heard — not just in the classroom but in court. Their lawsuits have already led community colleges to pay millions in settlements and legal fees. CalMatters identified at least seven cases filed since 2020 in which professors or students have sued their community college districts for issues related to free speech. Most of the cases are still ongoing and are located in California’s Central Valley, in counties where Republicans often outnumber Democrats. Although separate, many of these lawsuits include similar allegations: that programs promoting diversity, equity and inclusion are restricting the right to free speech under the First Amendment. The University of California system is facing a similar case in Santa Cruz. In a state with 73 community college districts and 116 community colleges, such lawsuits are rare. Still, President-elect Donald Trump has used similar cases as fodder for national policy, such as a 2019 executive order he signed regarding free speech on college campuses, which he justified by pointing to a few conservative and religious students who claimed colleges had restricted their rights. Throughout his campaign for this year’s election, Trump promised to continue that focus if re-elected. “The time has come to reclaim our once great educational institutions from the radical left,” he said in a campaign video last year, later adding that he would protect free speech and remove “all Marxist diversity, equity, and inclusion bureaucrats” from college campuses. Even when these lawsuits get dismissed, community colleges can still pay a price. In a Riverside County lawsuit , Moreno Valley College professor Eric Thompson claimed the community college violated his right to free speech when it fired him. The lawsuit alleges that his termination was a result of various student complaints, all stemming from opinions that Thompson had presented in class or over email with the wider college community. He argued, for example, that homosexuality is the result of social factors, not genetics, and that conversion therapy should be allowed. Thompson lost the case, but public records show that the district still paid nearly $900,000 in legal costs to fight it. It was never about making money. It was not only about making change, but also about ensuring that change remains for future students. For Daniel Ortner, an attorney who recently helped students and professors file three different lawsuits against community college districts, these cases are part of a broader trend of cracking down on controversial speech and forcing “conformity to a certain viewpoint,” especially on topics of race. Ortner works for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a nonprofit organization that focuses on free speech issues. Ortner said the policies at the community college level are the strictest, and therefore, elicit more pushback from faculty. According to state regulations adopted in 2022, every community college district in the state must develop a policy to evaluate staff based on their ability to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. “Students must experience campus and classroom cultures that they feel they can belong to , where they can thrive and succeed,” said Eloy Ortiz Oakley, then-chancellor of the community college system, during a 2022 presentation about the new regulations. Of the more than 2 million students who enrolled at one of the state’s community colleges last year, most are low-income , including some students who are former foster youth or formerly incarcerated. Most students identify as Black, Hispanic or Asian. The California community college system has the “most diverse student population in the nation,” said Ortiz Oakley, later adding that neither the CSU nor the UC system had similar regulations in place. “We should be proud that we’re leading the way.” Nationally, many college systems have taken the opposite approach. A total of 25 states have proposed or signed legislation curbing how colleges support diversity, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Lawsuits Over Pronouns, Posters and Alleged Censorship Many of the California lawsuits follow the same general contours. According to the details of one case , David Richardson, a professor at Madera Community College, started using the pronouns “Do, Re, Mi” while attending a 2021 presentation about personal gender pronouns. When the facilitator later approached Richardson about his choice of pronouns — calling his actions “harmful to trans people” — Richardson doubled down, claiming that his choice of pronouns was part of his right to free expression. After the college disciplined him, Richardson sued the State Center Community College District, which oversees Madera Community College. The case is still pending in federal court. The community college system, the California State University system and the UC Office of the President have policies promoting diversity, equity and inclusion on their campuses, though each system has taken a different approach. Another lawsuit at Bakersfield College dates back to 2019, when two professors, Matthew Garrett and Erin Miller, put together a campus talk about “free speech” and “campus censorship.” During the talk, Garrett and Miller criticized the school for supporting Kern Sol News, a nonprofit news site, and criticized specific professors at the school’s Social Justice Institute. Bakersfield College administrators then wrote a note in their personnel files, criticizing Garrett and Miller for “unprofessional conduct,” effectively “chilling” their First Amendment rights, according to the lawsuit. The Kern Community College District settled with Garrett this summer, paying him $2.4 million on the condition that he drop all of his legal complaints against the district. It’s less than 1% of the district’s annual budget, but for a faculty member, many of whom make around $100,000 a year, it’s a significant sum. Miller is continuing with the case. In the settlement, both Garrett and the district deny any wrongdoing. “The settlement is in the best interest of the District and allows us to focus on the future and continue to deliver quality higher education for students of Kern County without any further legal distractions,” Norma Rojas, a spokesperson for the Kern Community College District, said in a written statement. “To be clear, the dispute with Matthew Garrett was a disciplinary matter due to his disruptive actions on campus, none of which concerned freedom of speech.” Miller and Garrett declined multiple requests to comment. Support timely, comprehensive news. 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. DONATE TODAY! Another Central Valley case stems from an incident in 2021. At the time, Juliette Colunga was a student at Clovis Community College and on the leadership team of her college’s chapter of the Young America’s Foundation, a national conservative organization with local branches at over 2,000 college campuses. She and two other students placed a set of posters across campus that criticized communism, which the college then removed after other students complained. Later, Colunga and her co-leaders asked to put up pro-life posters, but school leaders said they could only be placed in a different location, far from the spot where they usually placed their content. With help from Ortner and the Young America’s Foundation, she and the other student leaders sued , alleging that the school district’s actions violated their First Amendment Rights. This summer, the State Center Community College District, which oversees Clovis Community College, agreed to pay her, the other student leaders, her attorneys and the Young America’s Foundation $330,000 as part of a legal settlement. The district also agreed to implement a new policy for displaying posters on campus and to provide “First Amendment training” to all of its managers. “It was never about making money,” Colunga said. “It was not only about making change, but also about ensuring that change remains for future students.” Kristen Kuenzli Corey, general counsel to the State Center Community College District, declined to comment on Colunga’s lawsuit, Richardson’s lawsuit and another similar lawsuit. She pointed to the pleadings in the cases as evidence of the district’s position. Do Public Employees, Students Have the Right to Free Speech? In general, the free speech provision of the First Amendment governs the relationship between people and government. Faculty and students at a public college have a right to free speech under the First Amendment, but in a slightly more limited manner, said David Snyder, the executive director of the First Amendment Coalition. Various courts have found that public institutions can limit the free speech rights of its employees — in this case, faculty — if an employee’s behavior runs counter to the mission of the institution. Schools also have a right to restrict their students’ speech, but only if it disrupts education. The most famous example is the “Tinker test,” in which the U.S. Supreme Court said that students had a First Amendment right to free speech, as long as their conduct did not “materially and substantially interfere” with education. “What also matters is what the school’s policies say,” Snyder said. Regardless of the constitutional questions, a professor or student can sue if they feel the school’s actions contradict its policies. In addition to its policy on diversity, equity and inclusion, California’s community college system also has a policy on academic freedom, which states that faculty, staff and students should have “the opportunity to express their opinions at the campus level.” The regulations around diversity, equity and inclusion do not conflict with the academic freedom policy or otherwise “censor or compel speech,” said Paul Feist, a spokesperson for the community college system, and he pointed to a lawsuit filed by Bakersfield College professor Daymon Johnson as evidence. Johnson does not agree with the college’s principles of diversity, equity and inclusion and claims that being forced to adhere to them would infringe on his rights, according to the case. A judge recently dismissed Johnson’s claims, though he has appealed the ruling. Neither the district nor Johnson responded to requests for comment. Of the seven lawsuits identified by CalMatters, most have taken years to resolve. Colunga’s lawsuit settled this summer — almost three years after she and the other student leaders first put up the posters at Clovis Community College. By the time the case settled, she had already graduated and transferred to Master’s University, a private, four-year Christian college near Los Angeles. She said the school doesn’t have an official chapter of Young America’s Foundation, but she’s trying to get one started. Adam Echelman covers California’s community colleges for CalMatters in partnership with Open Campus, a nonprofit newsroom focused on higher education. 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.

NoneDETROIT (AP) — Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams will not be charged with a crime after he was found with a gun in a car driven by his brother, a prosecutor said Monday. The gun on the floor was registered to Williams, but he didn't have a concealed-carry permit. His brother did. Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Michigan law is “far from clear” when applied to the 1 a.m. traffic stop on Oct. 8. “We really could not recall any case that had facts that mirrored this case,” she said. Williams was riding in a car driven by his brother when Detroit police stopped the vehicle for speeding. Williams said one of two guns in the car belonged to him and was registered. But without a concealed-pistol license, known as a CPL, a Michigan gun owner typically must place the weapon in a closed case while in a vehicle. A violation is a felony. In this case, Williams' brother had a permit. “The CPL holder here was the driver and had care, custody and control of the car," Worthy said. “Guidance is needed for the future on how many weapons can a valid CPL say that they have control over.” Williams obtained a CPL on Nov. 6, a month later, attorney Todd Flood said. “My client is thankful and humbled by the hard work Kym Worthy and her team put into this matter,” Flood said. During the traffic stop, Williams was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car before officers released him with his gun instead of taking him to a detention center. Williams, a first-round draft pick in 2022, has 29 catches for 602 yards and four touchdowns this season. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

NASA has announced more delays in sending astronauts back to the moon more than 50 years after the Apollo missions. or signup to continue reading Administrator Bill Nelson on Thursday said the next mission in the Artemis program - sending four astronauts around the moon and back - is now targeted for April 2026. It had been on the books for September 2025, after slipping from this year. The investigation into heat shield damage from the capsule's initial test flight two years ago took time, officials said, and other spacecraft improvements are still needed. This bumps the third Artemis mission - a moon landing by two other astronauts - to at least 2027. NASA had been aiming for 2026. NASA's Artemis program, a follow-up to the Apollo moonshots of the late 1960s and early 1970s, has completed only one mission. An empty Orion capsule circled the moon in 2022 after blasting off on NASA's new Space Launch System rocket. Although the launch and lunar laps went well, the capsule returned with an excessively charred and eroded bottom heat shield, damaged from the heat of re-entry. It took until recently for engineers to pinpoint the cause and come up with a plan. NASA will use the Orion capsule with its original heat shield for the next flight with four astronauts, according to Nelson, but make changes to the reentry path at flight's end. To rip off and replace the heat shield would have meant at least a full year's delay, officials said. During the flight test, the capsule dipped in and out of the atmosphere during re-entry and heat built up in the shield's outer layer, explained Pam Melroy, NASA deputy administrator. That resulted in cracking and uneven shedding of the outer layer. The commander of the lunar fly-around, astronaut Reid Wiseman, took part in Thursday's news conference at NASA headquarters in Washington. His crew includes NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. "Delays are agonising and slowing down is agonising and it's not what we like to do," Wiseman said. But he said he and his crew wanted the heat shield damage from the first flight to be fully understood, regardless of how long it took. Twenty-four astronauts flew to the moon during NASA's vaulted Apollo program, with 12 landing on it. The final bootprints in the lunar dust were made during Apollo 17 in December, 1972. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementOTTAWA — Parents of children who died because of online sexual extortion are urging MPs to act on online harms legislation. The bill and other legislation have been blocked from moving forward for months due to a parliamentary privilege debate raging between the Liberals and Conservatives. Justice Minister Arif Virani split the bill into two parts this week heeding calls from critics to separate the more controversial hate speech provisions from the child exploitation components. But the bill still can’t move forward until the privilege filibuster is over. Barbie Lavers, whose teenage son died by suicide after being extorted online over intimate images, told House of Commons committee today that she supports the act and asked politicians to come to a temporary alliance and stop using children as political pawns to show “one party is more correct than the other.” Carole Todd, whose daughter Amanda died by suicide due to online sextortion, told MPs it is hurtful to watch political arguments after waiting 12 years for legislation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press

Honey, they shrunk the catalogs. While retailers hope to go big this holiday season, customers may notice that the printed gift guides arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were indeed scaled down to save on postage and paper, resulting in pint-sized editions. Lands’ End, Duluth Trading Company and Hammacher Schlemmer are among gift purveyors using smaller editions. Some retailers are saving even more money with postcards. Lisa Ayoob, a tech-savvy, online shopper in Portland, Maine, was surprised by the size of a recent catalog she received from outdoor apparel company Carbon2Cobalt. “It almost felt like it was a pamphlet compared to a catalog,” she said. Catalogs have undergone a steady recalibration over the years in response to technological changes and consumer behavior. The thick, heavy Sears and J.C. Penney catalogs that brought store displays to American living rooms slimmed down and gave way to targeted mailings once websites could do the same thing. Recent postal rate increases accelerated the latest shift to compact formats. The number of catalogs mailed each year dropped about 40% between 2006 to 2018, when an estimated 11.5 billion were mailed to homes, according to the trade group formerly known as the American Catalog Mailers Association. In a sign of the times, the group based in Washington rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association, reflecting a broadened focus. But don't expect catalogs to go the way of dinosaurs yet. Defying predictions of doom, they have managed to remain relevant in the e-commerce era. Retail companies found that could treat catalogs with fewer pages as a marketing tool and include QR and promo codes to entice customers to browse online and complete a purchase. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, catalogs are costly to produce and ship. But they hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs, helping retailers cut through the noise for consumers barraged by multi-format advertisements, industry officials say. In an unlikely twist, notable e-commerce companies like Amazon and home goods supplier Wayfair started distributing catalogs in recent years. Amazon began mailing a toy catalog in 2018. That was the same year Sears, which produced an annual Christmas Wish Book Wish starting in 1933, filed for bankruptc y. Fans of printed information may rejoice to hear that apparel retailer J.Crew relaunched its glossy catalog this year. Research shows that the hands-on experience of thumbing through a catalog leaves a greater impression on consumers, said Jonathan Zhang, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University. “The reason why these paper formats are so effective is that our human brains haven’t evolved as fast as technology and computers over the past 10 to 20 years. We retain more information when we read something on paper. That's why paper books remain relevant," Zhang said. “The psychology shows that three-dimensional, tactile experiences are more memorable.” Pint-sized presentations still can work, though, because the purpose of catalogs these days is simply to get customers’ attention, Zhang said. Conserving paper also works better with younger consumers who are worried about the holiday shopping season's impact on the planet, he said. Postal increases are hastening changes. The latest round of postage hikes in July included the category with the 8.5-by-11-inch size that used to be ubiquitous for the catalog industry. Many retailers responded by reducing the size of catalogs, putting them in a lower-cost letter category, said Paul Miller, executive vice president and managing director of the American Commerce Marketing Association. One size, called a “slim jim,” measures 10.5 by 5.5 inches. But there other sizes. Some retailers have further reduced costs by mailing large postcards to consumers. Lands' End, for one, is testing new compact formats to supplement its traditional catalogs. This year, that included folded glossy brochures and postcards, along with other formats, Chief Transformation Officer Angie Rieger said. Maine resident Ayoob said she understands why retailers still use catalogs even though she no longer is a fan of the format. These days, she prefers to browse for products on the internet, not by flipping through paper pages. “Everybody wants eyeballs. There’s so much out there -- so many websites, so many brands,” said Ayoob, who spent 35 years working in department stores and in the wholesale industry. Targeting customers at home is not a new concept. L.L. Bean was a pioneer of the mail-order catalog after its founder promoted his famous “Maine Hunting Shoe” to hunting license holders from out-of-state in 1912. The outdoor clothing and equipment company based in Freeport, Maine, is sticking to mailing out regular-sized catalogs for now. “By showcasing our icons, the catalog became an icon itself,” L.L. Bean spokesperson Amanda Hannah said. "Even as we invest more in our digital and brand marketing channels, the catalog retains a strong association with our brand, and is therefore an important part of our omni-channel strategy, especially for our loyal customers.”

Donald Trump Jr., Elon Musk Make End-of-Year Push for Kids Online Safety ActSAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 25, 2024-- Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), the #1 AI CRM, today announced it has granted equity awards under its 2014 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") to new employees who joined Salesforce in connection with the acquisitions of Tenyx, PredictSpring, and Zoomin. The Plan was adopted by the Salesforce Board of Directors in July 2014, in accordance with New York Stock Exchange Rule 303A.08. Through the Plan, Salesforce granted a total of 90,643 restricted stock units ("RSUs") to 36 employees at PredictSpring, 17 employees at Tenyx, and two employees at Zoomin. The RSUs vest over four years with 25 percent of the RSUs vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the balance vesting quarterly thereafter in 12 equal installments, subject to continued service through each applicable vesting date. Each of the employees who received an equity award is a non-executive officer. About Salesforce Salesforce helps organizations of any size reimagine their business for the world of AI. With Agentforce, Salesforce’s trusted platform, organizations can bring humans together with agents to drive customer success—powered by AI, data, and action. Visit www.salesforce.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125837368/en/ pr@salesforce.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: INTERNET DATA MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOFTWARE SOURCE: Salesforce Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/25/2024 04:01 PM/DISC: 11/25/2024 04:01 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125837368/en

GARY LINEKER has landed his first job since announcing his Match of the Day exit. The legendary England striker, 63, revealed earlier this month he will leave the iconic BBC programme at the end of the season after 25 years as host. And just two weeks later his newest project has been unveiled as he prepares to get involved in Baller League UK. The football tournament was launched in Germany earlier this year and includes the likes of Mats Hummels and Lukasz Podolski. The league is made up of 12 teams consisting of six players on each side, with weekly matches taking place indoors across two 15-minute halves. Now the trailer announcing UK and US versions has been released on social media - with a plethora of star-studded names involved. The ad, set in an airport, features a mix of YouTubers and ex-footballers. Lineker is joined by Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards for his segment of the video. Lineker and Shearer are left in hysterics as Richards swandives on to the floor and rips his trousers in an attempt to beat his MOTD pals to a header. The BBC presenter then says "Talk about bursting on the seam!" - a play-on words on Richards' famous "bursting on to the scene" quote. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS Lineker has been named a team manager in the league - with a host of former players joining him to head up rival sides. Shearer and Richards have also been confirmed as head coaches, along with Chelsea legend and ex-England captain John Terry - who replicates his 2012 Champions League final antics by appearing in the video in full kit. Arsenal Invincibles trio Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljunberg will also be coaches, as will ex- Real Madrid superstar Luis Figo. Ronaldinho is also seen at the end of the clip as he smiles on a plane in a scene with IShowSpeed - who will be the Baller League USA president. It is unclear what Ronaldinho's involvement will be. KSI has been announced as the president of Baller League UK. It is set to get underway in March next year and finish in May - with coverage being hosted by Chunkz on Twitch. Rule changes will also take place during certain matches - including 3 vs 3 games, goals scored from the back two thirds of the pitch counting for double, and one-on-one match-ups starting behind the halfway line. Trials for players hoping to take part in the league will be staged in London and Manchester. They will include free agents, futsal players, academy youngsters, street ballers and retired pros. KSI said: "I have high hopes for what this league can bring to the sport. "We're bringing a different style to football, a different energy to the normal and showing a different level of entertainment to the sport. "Very exciting times ahead!" GARY LINEKER dropped the shock news that he is QUITTING Match of the Day. The popular presenter, 63, took over hosting duties on the flagship BBC programme from Des Lynam in 1999. But after more than 25 years in the studio hotseat, he has called time on his MOTD gig. But as part of a huge shake-up, the BBC is considering rotating the presenters on a weekly basis. So with Lineker vacating the chair, new names will step into his giant boots. But who could they be? MARK CHAPMAN Chapman, 51, is the obvious early favourite to follow on from Lineker as MOTD presenter. He already has the gig as MOTD2 host on a Sunday night plus landed the presenting job for the new BBC Champions League highlights show. ALEX SCOTT Scott gets the nod from the Beeb bosses when Lineker is away. The former right-back, 40, is used to presenting the Saturday night show as well as live match coverage - plus ticks the box as a former England international. GABBY LOGAN Like Scott, Logan, 51, is one of the understudies to step in when Lineker is not available. She has done most gigs since joining the BBC in 2007, including Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year and Final Score. MICAH RICHARDS Lineker's top pick to replace him is exuberant former Man City defender Richards. The departing host told his close pal, 36, on their Stick to Football podcast: "I'd love to see you take over Micah, I think you'd be brilliant in the chair." JASON MOHAMMAD Mohammad could earn the "promotion" from Final Score to Match of the Day. The 51-year-old Welshman - who took over from Logan in 2013 - is one of the BBC's top earners already and is more senior than fellow Final Score and BBC Sport broadcaster Kelly Somers, who could in theory become the main live host for the afternoon slot. JEFF STELLING He couldn't, could he? While Lineker has been the face of Saturday night TV for football fans for years, the face of the afternoons was Stelling in his role as Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday presenter. He would bring plenty of on-screen charisma, wit and legendary TV expertise - but at nearly 70 and currently with talkSPORT, the Hartlepool fan would not be a cheap or long-term appointment.GPs are gearing up for another highly challenging winter period for our health and social care services. While there are ongoing pressures across the system all year, more people become sicker, for longer, over the winter months, particularly those in our older population. Last month, the announced a series of initiatives in a 2024/25 Winter Preparedness Plan as officials warned that they will not eliminate winter pressures on the Health and Social Care (HSC) system but will help to alleviate their impact. They include additional funding for GP and residential care homes, phone first services for all NI health trusts and vaccination programmes. Announcing the measures, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said there's no doubt that the HSC system is again facing a very difficult winter period. Ahead of another highly challenging season for , people are being urged to familiarise themselves with health services ahead of increased pressure on hospitals at this time of year. We spoke to Dr Ursula Mason, a GP based in and Chair of the Royal College of GPs NI, about planning for this busy time of year and how people can best look after themselves to ease pressure on the system by accessing the right service at the right time. Dr Mason told : "I think anyone working in the health service always views winter with a bit of trepidation. We have a very challenging situation at the best of times in Northern Ireland from the perspective of our health service. "When you add on the additional winter pressures that inevitably come every year, it does put the whole system under a huge amount of pressure and we see that really acutely at the coalface here in general practice." An extra £3.4million is being made available to help GP services meet additional winter demand as Dr Mason explained: "What the extra funding does is it creates a little bit of space and a little bit of extra resource to add in additional surgeries and additional sessions in GP practices up and down the country. "There are a couple of issues with that. Number one not all practices can utilise the funding because they can't necessarily always access additional help and support from GPs because there are fewer GPs around. "It's sometimes hard to get locum GPs into areas where it's hard to recruit so that can be a challenge for some practices. "And of course, there's always a huge issue with access anyway so the amount of money that is provided every year to GPs, while it's welcome, it really is a drop in the ocean when it comes down to the need that's out there in the community. "While we welcome it and utilise it, we could absolutely do with more funding if it were available this time of the year." Dr Mason says the demand for appointments does escalate at this time of year: "There's no doubt about it when you see sort of the winter viruses that are starting to take hold at the moment and also just general ill health. "We've got lots and lots of people who require our services every day of the week, whether they've got something acute or whether it's a chronic long term condition. "We have a huge demand, which we try to meet as best we can, like every other practice up and down the country but we know that the capacity in general practice is not sufficient to meet the demand that's out there in our communities." leaders have already sounded the alarm over a “quad-demic” of disease, saying the service is “busier than ever” for this time of year, amid rising cases of flu, , norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). "There's certainly been an uptick in respiratory viruses, right across our community here and we've seen that through our day to day pressures in terms of requests for appointments and assessments," Dr Mason said. "There's a lot of information out there online on how to deal with those common conditions. "If you are an individual who's a wee bit more at risk or a bit more vulnerable, either because of your age or because of other conditions, it's often important to talk to a health professional either a pharmacist or a GP just to get some extra advice about how you're managing and the best things that you can do to help support your well-being and getting better from those kind of infections." To remove this article -

Arsenal building up momentum, says ArtetaThanksgiving is a holiday when most people look forward to planning a menu early. You may start dreaming about favorite dishes over a month in advance—searching for the right dish, finding twists on traditional favorites and craving all the fall flavors. There are important decisions about potatoes , stuffing , turkey and fresh cranberry sauce recipes, choosing between cooking methods like the slowcooker or the stovetop, as well as figuring out which kind of Thanksgiving mac and cheese you will serve. Related: 20 Lightened-Up Thanksgiving Sides Planning the Perfect Thanksgiving Menu Thanksgiving menus are all about balance and indulgence—a mixture of healthy foods , comfort foods and traditional foods and how many people will be enjoying the delicious creations. A heaping spoonful of vegetables should be offset with a creamy bite of macaroni and cheese. Consider expanding your vision of what that macaroni and cheese could look like. There are so many great takes on this classic recipe and it's worth exploring the versions to prepare for your Thanksgiving spread. Related: 21 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Side Dishes What To Put in Mac and Cheese There are many ways to enjoy homemade Thanksgiving mac and cheese side dishes with a variety of ingredient combinations. Go all in with Bacon and Spicy Jalapeño Mac and Cheese or add apple and sausage slices to your baked mac and cheese to pay homage to the beautiful fall weather. If you prefer an easy, no-boil method, we have a recipe for you! Take into account some health needs too, and make keto mac and cheese or vegan mac and cheese , tweaking an original while still indulging. Adding extra ingredients to your mac will make the dish more hearty. Ham and turkey are happy to share the spotlight and allow other dishes to shine—especially when it comes to gourmet macaroni and cheese. Don't let Thanksgiving pass by without sharing a delicious dish that does not come from a box or appear gelatinous in nature. Whether you put your Instant Pot to use, cook on the stovetop or bake your mac and cheese in the oven, there are so many delicious ways to fulfill your craving for this perfect comforting dish. Your guests will be excited to dive in and you will likely not have leftovers to move around the fridge like a jigsaw puzzle. Best Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Recipes Pull Apart Mac and Cheese Coffee And Champagne Get the recipe here: Pull Apart Mac and Cheese Related: 8 Best Mac and Cheese Recipes Ever Vegan Mac ’n’ Cheese Mark Weinberg Get the recipe here: Vegan Mac ’n’ Cheese Best Homemade Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Parade Get the recipe here: Best Homemade Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Sweet Salty Mac n Cheese Jocelyn Ruggiero Get the recipe here: Sweet Salty Mac n Cheese No-Boil Baked Macaroni and Cheese Krista Marshall Get the recipe here: No-Boil Baked Macaroni and Cheese Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch Get the recipe here: Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese Apple Sausage Mac and Cheese Pip and Ebby Get the recipe here: Apple Sausage Mac and Cheese Skillet Mac and Cheese Add A Pinch Get the recipe here: Skillet Mac and Cheese Stuffing Baked Mac and Cheese A Beautiful Mess Get the recipe here: Stuffing Baked Mac and Cheese Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Sage Gruyere Grilled Cheese Social Get the recipe here: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Sage Gruyere Turkey Mac and Cheese My Fearless Kitchen Get the recipe here: Turkey Mac and Cheese Quick Mac and Cheese for One Baking Mischief Get the recipe here: Quick Mac and Cheese for One Related: Mac Me So Happy! 16 Exotic Mac and Cheese Recipes Super Creamy Mac and Cheese Spicy Southern Kitchen Get the recipe here: Super Creamy Mac and Cheese Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe The Cozy Cook Get the recipe here: Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe Ol' School Mac and Cheese Deep Fried Honey Get the recipe here: Ol' School Mac and Cheese Instant Pot Mac and Cheese The Salty Marshmallow Get the recipe here: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Diethood Get the recipe here: Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese The Country Cook Get the recipe here: Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese Garlic Parmesan Mac and Cheese Cafe Delites Get the recipe here: Garlic Parmesan Mac and Cheese Gluten Free Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Mama Knows Gluten Free Get the recipe here: Gluten Free Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Camping Mac and Cheese Lauren's Latest Get the recipe here: Camping Mac and Cheese Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Pip and Ebby Get the recipe here: Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Related: Best Cauliflower Mac & Cheese Recipe Chicken Meatball Mac and Cheese Dude That Cookz Get the recipe here: Chicken Meatball Mac and Cheese Best Mac and Cheese Casserole Sweet & Savory Meals Get the recipe here: Best Mac and Cheese Casserole Best One-Pot Stove Top Mac and Cheese Sweet Tea & Thyme Get the recipe here: Best One Pot Stove Top Mac and Cheese Brisket with Mac and Cheese Butter and Baggage Get the recipe here: Brisket with Mac and Cheese Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese Damn Delicious Get the recipe here: Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese My Forking Life Get the recipe here: Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Baked Mac and Cheese - 3 Cheese Kevin Is Cooking Get the recipe here: Baked Mac and Cheese - 3 Cheese Lighter Baked Macaroni and Cheese Skinny Taste Get the recipe here: Lighter Baked Macaroni and Cheese Miracle Mac and Cheese Budget Bytes Get the recipe here: Miracle Mac and Cheese Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Garlic Spinach Veggies Save The Day Get the recipe here: Vegan Macaroni and Cheese with Garlic and Spinach Related: 45 Best Elbow Macaroni Recipes How to Make Bomb Macaroni and Cheese Sweet Savant Get the recipe here: How to Make Bomb Macaroni and Cheese Gourmet Baked Mac and Cheese Bacon Tastes Better From Scratch Get the recipe here: Gourmet Baked Mac and Cheese with BaconFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye’s arrival in New England coincided with a wholesale reset for the Patriots franchise following the departure of coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Mac Jones this past offseason. In his eight starts since assuming the reins from veteran Jacoby Brissett, the rookie quarterback has provided encouraging examples of what the Patriots’ revamped front office saw in selecting him third overall in the draft last April. While the Patriots enter their bye week with a 3-10 record and just 2-6 with Maye as the starter, both the coaching staff and his teammates feel they have a quarterback they can build around going forward. “I’m just trying to take it one day at a time, one game at a time,” Maye said this week. “I’m trying to learn from negative experiences or negative plays, learn from turnovers, learn from sacks that I take and see if I can get the ball out and do something better. That’s probably the biggest thing. "Hopefully, the work that we’re putting in and the product that we’re putting out can lead to some positive plays and some positive wins down the road.” Maye is coming off his best statistical performance of the season, completing a season best 80% of his passes (24 of 30) for a season-high 238 yards and a touchdown in New England’s 25-24 loss to Indianapolis. He also had a 41-yard run, showing off a running ability that has him averaging 9.1 yards per carry – best among quarterbacks who have played at least nine games. Maye did have one interception off a tipped ball, but showed his best command of offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s scheme to date, spreading the ball around to six different players and consistently getting the Patriots into the red zone. The rub is that the Patriots were just 2 of 6 once they got there, including four trips inside the 10-yard line that yielded only one TD. Lackluster play in the red zone has been a hindrance for a unit that ranks 30th in the NFL in scoring touchdowns inside the 20. Maye said it will be one of his main focal points over the final four games. “It’s tough to go out like that,” Maye said. “You can’t win games going four drives in the red zone that end in field goals. We’ve got to focus in on that. I think that’s been an emphasis of improvement for this offense. We know you have to score touchdowns to win in this league.” Though coach Jerod Mayo agrees there is room for improvement for Maye, he also pointed out that the pieces around him need to do a better job supporting him as well. He pointed specifically to the offensive line, singling out rookie left guard Layden Robinson and rookie tackle Caedan Wallace, as well as fellow lineman and 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange, who is working his way back from a knee injury. “You need a guy like Layden Robinson to show what he can do. We need a guy like Cole Strange before the end of the season to see what he can do,” Mayo said. “You can use Caedan in that same bucket. We need to see what the receivers can do and what they’re going to look like going forward, and that’s the hard part for me. You want to win right now, but at the same time, I think it would be a disservice to go to the end of the season and not know exactly what we have.” That’s not lost on Robinson, who wants to play better for his quarterback who he said has grown exponentially as a leader since earning the starting job. “He always has that confidence about him and you know how he takes control of the huddle,” Robinson said. “He gets in there, and he’s like, ‘All right, let’s go to work,’ basically. We rally behind him.” Results aside, Van Pelt said there are no regrets about initially waiting to elevate Maye to the starting job. “Absolutely not. I think we had the plan going into place, and I think that it’s showing now that that was a good decision for us,” Van Pelt said. “Would he be as developed had he started the first game? Maybe. Could’ve gone the other way as well. I stated in the spring, this is a marathon, it’s not a sprint. "This is about a career, franchise quarterback, and we’re trying to develop him in the right way. And I feel like we did it that way.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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