
The use of emojis in communication has become increasingly common in today's digital age, with many people using them to convey their emotions, reactions, and thoughts. In this case, Musk's choice of the thinking face emoji can be interpreted in various ways. Some believe that it may hint at Musk's skepticism or doubts about the feasibility of Ukraine's ambitious energy goals. Others view it as a sign of Musk pondering the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the country.Special counsel moves to dismiss election interference and classified documents cases against Trump
We’ll try to refrain from bad baseball puns like “It’s a home run for animals!” and “Take a swing at adoption!” – but we’re weak and won’t really apologize. If you’re within eyeball range of the Angels’ Big A along the 57 freeway this month, you may notice a trio of adorable beasties staring back at you. “Adopt me!” it says over their furry little heads, and the A is ringed with the Angels’ distinctive halo. We’ll tell you how the Angels came to join forces with Social Compassion in Legislation animal activist Judie Mancuso to create the AdoptOC.com website aiming to boost shelter adoptions – it started with a Nextdoor request for cat traps, believe it or not – but first, let’s talk about why it’s important. Some 8 million animals land in American shelters each year, and as many as 1 million a year have been euthanized, according to national data kept by Animal Shelters Count . Deaths plunged during the pandemic, but they’re climbing again, hitting about 690,000 last year. The picture at Orange County’s biggest shelter, OC Animal Care, illustrates the trend on the local front. Things are far better than they were 15 years ago, when thousands of animals were euthanized each year, but hundreds are still put down every year, nonetheless. • Between January and September, 1,780 animals were euthanized at OC Animal Care, the vast majority of them young kittens (1,253). • In 2023, 2,084 animals were euthanized, the vast majority of them young kittens. • That was up quite a bit from 2022, when 1,563 animals were euthanized, the vast majority of them young kittens. Young kittens , people! The AdoptOC.com address leads to a page hosted by Mancuso’s Social Compassion website, linking to a multitude of area shelters and rescue organizations – OC Animal Care , PUP Laguna Beach , Promise 4 Paws , and shelters in Mission Viejo , Irvine , Newport Beach , San Clemente and Long Beach – as well as Petfinder and Adopt A Pet sites. Mancuso is ecstatic about what this can do for shelter animals. After all, there are 81 regular-season home games a year. “If we can do something at each game to promote pet adoption – all those people, all those eyeballs – it’s a coup,” Mancuso said. Mancuso crossed paths with Elizabeth Carpino, who’s married to Angels president John Carpino, on Nextdoor some years back. Carpino was looking for cat traps, which folks use to catch strays so they can be spayed/neutered/rehomed. Mancuso had some – but how could she be sure the captured cats wouldn’t be used for coyote food or somesuch? Carpino responded with a photograph of her Pet Lover license plate, which raises money for low-cost spay and neuter surgeries. The plate was a pet project of Mancuso’s Social Compassion in Legislation. A friendship was born. Recently, they got to brainstorming about how to help more animals. That big screen – maybe it could feature a pet of the week? They scrambled to get the website domain and put together content on responsible adoption and link to the shelters and rescues. This month, everything went live and the “Adopt OC” ad appeared on screen on the Big A. It’s expected to make 2 million impressions in December alone. In the 2000s, things were bleak. At OC Animal Care, the county’s largest shelter, some 13,000 animals were euthanized in a single year . That makes the 2,000 or so we’re seeing these days seem paltry. Thank things like California’s ban on pet store sales from commercial breeders, and more emphasis on chipping and spaying and neutering. So while almost half of shelter intakes were euthanized during the darkest days back then, nearly 95% of dogs and 79.5% of cats had live releases so far this year, according to OC statistics from January through September . That’s better than 2023 , when 94.1% of dogs and 71% of cats made it out alive, and bests 2022, when 94.8% of dogs and 77% of cats made it out alive. Michael Mavrovouniotis, animal lover, volunteer number-cruncher and close watcher of O.C. Animal Care, is heartened by the partnership with the Angels. It can only help. Mavrovouniotis pushed hard to convince the shelter to open its kennels to would-be adopters more often, rather than asking them to go online to schedule appointments with animals they only see in pictures. His research paper, published in the Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health , found that visitors strolling through kennels and meeting more dogs face-to-face resulted in more adoptions. “The statistics show that the save rate held up well in the first half of the year with kennel viewing hours helping adoptions. But it’s slipping a little in the 3rd Quarter,” he said by email. “The smart move for the shelter would be to expand viewing hours on weekends. That’s when most adopters want to visit.” OC’s shelter hosts fewer hours of open kennel viewing than many local shelters, he said: 21 hours a week in O.C. compared to 28 in Mission Viejo, 29.5 in Long Beach, 30 in Irvine, 36 in Los Angeles County and 48 in L.A. city. More hours would help, and campaigns like the one on the Big A will help. “Our local shelters have many wonderful adoptable animals,” he said. “Go visit and bring home a new loyal friend!” It could be a grand slam. Related ArticlesThe inclusion of Li Chunlai and Xu Hujing in the Top 10 Figures of 2024 underscores the growing influence of Chinese scientists on the global stage and highlights the country's prominent role in driving scientific and technological innovation. 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HARARE – Zimbabwe’s capital markets are undergoing significant transformation, with efforts to address low liquidity, regulatory hurdles, and economic instability paving the way for potential growth. The introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency and initiatives to engage international creditors have set the stage for stability and expansion. Market analysts believe that a strategic approach is necessary to stimulate the country’s capital markets in 2025. Business analyst Kudakwashe Mundowozi highlighted the importance of enhancing liquidity through new financial instruments, streamlining regulations, and implementing investor education programs. He also emphasised the need for sustainable investment promotion and a green financing framework to attract socially responsible investors in line with global trends. Fostering public-private partnerships and encouraging foreign direct investment through policy stability and tax incentives are considered critical for long-term growth. By addressing these issues, Zimbabwe can build a more vibrant and resilient capital market. The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) are seen as key platforms for driving investment and contributing to the country’s economic development. Investment analyst Enock Rukarwa noted that the introduction of ZiG had brought relative stability, shifting stock market activity from flat to a bullish trend in late 2024. However, he pointed out challenges such as the discontinuation of foreign currency settlements, which had briefly improved liquidity. Liquidity, market depth, and size remain areas of concern, with analysts linking these variables to broader macroeconomic dynamics. Improved economic conditions, they argue, would boost confidence and activity in the stock market. Financial analyst Malone Gwadu observed that ZSE served as a haven for investors during periods of volatility, particularly in early 2024, as a hedge against exchange rate losses. However, he identified inflation and exchange rate volatility as systemic threats to market confidence and growth. To encourage market participation, Mr Mundowozi proposed tax incentives for companies listing on the ZSE, citing successful examples from Rwanda and Ireland. He also suggested adopting a fast-track listing process, similar to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, to attract foreign companies and diversify the investor base. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced plans to further incentivise market activity on the VFEX, which has been hindered by low trading volumes. As part of the 2025 national budget, the Government will reduce capital gains withholding tax on marketable securities on the ZSE, effective January 1, 2025. ZSE Chief Executive Justin Bgoni welcomed the tax reduction, stating it would increase liquidity, attract more investors, and enhance overall market efficiency. Lower taxes could also improve price discovery and make Zimbabwe’s investment landscape more appealing to foreign investors. As these measures take shape, Zimbabwe’s capital markets are expected to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and attracting both domestic and international investors in the coming years.
Penn State looks to control offensive glass vs. PennWhen it comes to sentencing perpetrators of rape against mentally ill individuals, the legal system must balance the principles of punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation. In many jurisdictions, the severity of the sentence may be influenced by factors such as the nature of the crime, the degree of harm caused to the victim, the perpetrator's criminal history, and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances. It is important for judges to consider the individual circumstances of each case and ensure that the sentence imposed is fair and just.While some may view Musk's emoji response as a signal of caution or hesitancy, others see it as a reflection of his analytical and strategic mindset. Musk is known for his visionary thinking and unconventional approach to solving complex problems, which has earned him a reputation as a forward-thinking leader in the technology sector. It is possible that his use of the thinking face emoji was meant to convey a thoughtful and contemplative stance on the challenges and opportunities associated with Ukraine's energy transition.
The Gophers have been working on a couple trick plays during closed practices in recent weeks. Unveiled Saturday, one worked to huge success and one didn’t pan out in a 26-25 loss to No. 4 Penn State. ADVERTISEMENT They busted out a double-reverse pass that resulted in a 21-yard touchdown from Max Brosmer to a wide open Jameson Geers in the first half to take a 17-10 lead at Huntington Bank Stadium. Then in the fourth quarter, the U called a throwback pass from Brosmer to left tackle Aireontae Ersery on second and goal from the 8-yard line. Brosmer intentionally threw it incomplete because Penn State’s All-America candidate, defensive end Abdul Carter, was waiting to make a tackle on the U’s athletic-but-massive lineman. “The reverse pass worked, so it’s a good call,” coach P.J. Fleck said postgame. “We were in the perfect defense for (the throwback pass). We practiced it all week. The only thing that they showed ... was pop (Carter) out. If he doesn’t pop out, there is nobody there. “It just didn’t come together,” Fleck continued. “It came together in practice. I love the call. I loved the look that we put it into. I would call it all over again based on the look that we had.” ADVERTISEMENT Brosmer shared that players were comfortable with the throwback call until Carter spoiled it. “Rather than taking a negative spot (by trying to complete it), we just went onto the next play,” Brosmer said. After the second trick play didn’t work, Brosmer’s third-down pass to Elijah Spencer fell incomplete and the U opted to kick a 26-yard field goal to make it 26-25 with five minutes left. “Kicking the field goal is the smart decision,” Fleck said. ADVERTISEMENT ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
In response to these concerns, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has implemented strict guidelines and regulations to ensure the fair and impartial use of ball tracking systems in competitions. The Hawkeye system undergoes rigorous testing and calibration procedures to guarantee its accuracy and reliability. Additionally, trained technicians and officials monitor the system during matches to prevent any misuse or interference.To sustain and enhance export growth, it is important for the country to focus on diversifying its export markets and products. By expanding into new markets and sectors, the country can reduce its dependency on a few key markets and products, making its export sector more resilient to external shocks.
It is essential for leaders and managers to recognize the significance of personal events such as bereavement and to show compassion and support to their employees during difficult times. Taking time off to attend a funeral is a basic human right and a necessary component of the healing process for individuals coping with loss. By mocking or downplaying the importance of such leave, leaders not only undermine the morale and trust within their team but also create a toxic work environment that is detrimental to employee well-being and productivity.Amgen Inc. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors despite daily gains
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