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Eagle-eyed fans spot Ruben Amorim’s ice cold reaction to Marcus Rashford’s opening goal in Ipswich clash
Samsung Heavy Industries is speeding up orders centered on high value-added shipsJackson leads but Barkley closes gap in NFL Pro Bowl votingBIC America Spotlights Acoustech Architectural In-Ceiling Speaker SeriesHAMDEN, Conn. (AP) — Amarri Tice scored 20 points and Paul Otieno added six in the overtime as Quinnipiac defeated Hofstra 75-69 on Sunday. Tice added 11 rebounds and three blocks for the Bobcats (6-7). Otieno scored 17 points and added 14 rebounds. Jaden Zimmerman shot 4 of 8 from the field, including 1 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 1 for 5 from the free-throw line to finish with 10 points. Jean Aranguren led the Pride (8-5) in scoring, finishing with 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Cruz Davis added 14 points and two steals for Hofstra. Michael Graham had eight points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Quinnipiac entered halftime up 36-32. Tice paced the team in scoring in the first half with 10 points. Quinnipiac was outscored by four points in the second half and the teams finished regulation tied 63-63 after two free throws by Aranguren with 38 seconds remaining. Otieno shot 2 of 3 from the field on the way to their six points in the overtime. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Long waits for NHS services could lead people to take matters into their own hands by buying potentially unsafe weight-loss jabs online, Britain’s top GP has said. Prof Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the Royal College of GPs , warned that buying drugs online from unregulated retailers could put people at risk and they may also miss out on wraparound support offered alongside the medication. She also expressed concerns about the safety of cheaper alternatives to the pre-filled injection pens, which involve preparing part of the medicine at home. Her warning came as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) cautioned against buying illegal weight-loss medicines without a prescription through beauty salons, fake pharmacy websites or on social media, saying these products could contain “toxins and other ingredients that could cause real harm”. Andy Morling, the MHRA’s deputy director of criminal enforcement, said: “At this time of year, with many of us thinking about shedding a little excess weight, we see people offering weight-loss medicines for sale as a quick fix, without a healthcare professional’s prescription.” Urging people to exercise caution, he said “criminals go to great lengths to make their website storefronts look authentic and convincing”. “These are not cosmetic treatments; they are powerful medicines that can only be legally and safely dispensed against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional,” he added. Hawthorne said the population was “gradually getting bigger and bigger,” leading to widespread chronic illness. In an interview with the PA Media news agency, she said she had “serious concerns” about “quite a lot of people” buying weight-loss drugs privately, as “some of these places are not fully regulated”. The demand was in part being driven by very long waits for weight-loss support, she added, calling on the government to adequately fund services. “If you’re faced with a two-year waiting time and you want to lose weight now, and you know that there is a way that you can lose weight, you know that drug works because nobody’s denying that they don’t work, you might well decide that you’re going to just sort it out yourself,” Hawthorne said. “I would definitely suggest that you come and talk to your doctor or practice nurse about what you’re intending to do and let them help you,” she said. “Please don’t go off and buy a [weight-loss injection] unless it is under the supervision of a medically qualified doctor.” A recent Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) report revealed some patients were having to wait for up to five years for specialist support, while some services are so overstretched that they have closed their waiting lists entirely. Katharine Jenner, the OHA’s director, told PA Media the drugs “offer hope of tangible improvements in the lives of people with severe, chronic obesity”, but they were “only safe and effective for those for whom they are medically appropriate, as prescribed by a legitimate prescriber, and are not a long-term solution for the millions of people living with obesity”. An NHS rollout of the so-called “King Kong” of weight-loss jabs, Mounjaro, is scheduled to take 12 years. An estimated 220,000 people could benefit from the drug in the first three years, out of about 3.4 million people estimated to be eligible, with those at highest need prioritised. The latest Health Survey for England shows 64% of adults were overweight or obese in 2022.Premier Burt Attends Joint Ministerial CouncilBaltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson kept the overall lead in fan voting numbers revealed Monday for the NFL Pro Bowl Games with Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley a close second. Jackson topped vote-getters with 82,402 and Barkley was next, only 320 votes behind. Barkley was 4,079 votes back of Jackson in last week's first voting results. Eagles star Barkley, who set a team one-season rushing record on Sunday in a victory over Carolina, leaped ahead of Ravens rusher Derrick Henry, who fell to third on 76,582. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was fourth on 73,627 with Detroit Lions rusher Jahmyr Gibbs fifth on 73,617. The Lions garnered the most votes from NFL fans overall followed by Baltimore, two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City, Philadelphia and Minnesota. The NFL's all-star event will be staged February 2 in Orlando, Florida, for the second consecutive year as 88 players take part in skills competitions, including a flag football showdown with former NFL star quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning serving as coaches. Fan voting concludes on December 23. No other voting totals were revealed but top vote-getters at their position in the AFC and NFC also were revealed, including NFC rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels of Washington and wide receivers Justin Jefferson of Minnesota in the NFC and Ja'Marr Chase of Cincinnati in the AFC. js/bb
The Georgian President, the opposition, civil society and the country’s international partners stress that the OSCE/ODIHR final report on the parliamentary elections, issued on December 20, is a solid basis for calling for new, free and fair, elections in Georgia held in line with OSCE recommendations. However, while the ODIHR itself stresses that its mandate does not envisage recognition of endorsement of elections, but only comprehensive and impartial assessment of the electoral process, the ruling party has rushed to use the report to bolster its legitimacy, arguing that it describes the elections as “free and fair.” The ruling Georgian Dream party welcomed the OSCE/ODIHR report with open arms, with GD’s Prime Minister dedicating a briefing to it immediately after its release. Kobakhidze the OSCE/ODIHR for “properly assessing” the elections in Georgia “despite attacks” from GD opponents, and claimed that the report said the elections were “free and competitive.” “...certain shortcomings were identified, and polarization was also seen as one of the main problems, both in the political spectrum and in the media. These are the issues on which we also have relevant information. Overall, it is clear from the OSCE/ODIHR report that the elections were free and competitive, this is clear from the general content of the OSCE/ODIHR report. I would like to thank the OSCE/ODIHR once again,” Kobakhidze. Following Kobakhidze’s claims, , GD’s Speaker of the Parliament, also devoted a briefing to the report, beginning by it to the OSCE/ODIHR assessment of the 2024 elections in the United States. The comparison was made to emphasize “how grave their certain assessments are with regard to the U.S.” and called to view the criticism contained in the report on Georgian in this context. Regarding the Georgian elections, Papuashvili : “The OSCE/ODIHR report is the turning point where all damaging speculation about the integrity of the elections should end. The opposition has been given the share in government, the number of mandates, that the Georgian people deemed necessary. It is also time to stop the foreign attacks on Georgian democracy and to recognize the will of the Georgian people expressed in the only legitimate way – through elections.” Echoing this narrative, the parliamentary majority leader too celebrated OSCE/ODIHR’s report, that “in any case, we can say that none of the questions and speculations raised by our opposition were reflected as a point in the OSCE/ODIHR report.” Meanwhile, immediately stressed that the OSCE/ODIHR report had negatively assesed the elections, emphasizing that the organization’s “call for concrete action means new elections. That is the democratic way out of the deep crisis in which these elections have thrown Georgia.” Commenting on the ruling party’s speculations, the President on social media: “Constant lies from the state about domestic politics, the social situation and the outside world were the main method of governing the Soviet Union... A total lie reigns, where the statements of partners are presented to the public already falsified, while foreign partners are shamelessly deceived! The harshest conclusion of the OSCE/ODIHR is only one example!” At the same time, three opposition coalitions ( ) and the opposition party – all opposition actors that have crossed the electoral threshold – the October 2024 elections following the OSCE/ODIHR’s “historically the most negative” report regarding elections in Georgia. In a joint statement they note that according to the report the elections failed to ensure the realizaitonof citizens’ constitutional right to vote. They also said that the report highlighted “voter intimidation, media bias, unequal conditions and violations of the secrecy of the vote,” which resulted in the elections failing to meet “basic democratic standards” necessary for the conduct of free and fair elections. The opposition stressed that the OSCE/ODIHR report, while not directly questioning the legitimacy of the elections, pointed to a “legitimacy deficit” and underscored a lack of confidence in the electoral process. According to the opposition, these findings provide a “legal and logical basis” for new elections. Notably, local monitoring organizations – the I , the , the monitoring mission – also the “extremely critical” nature of the OSCE/ODIHR final report on the October 26 elections. For them, the document is yet another reason to “hold new elections in Georgia”. “As OSCE PA President I urge full implementation of the recommendations found in the report.” : “The final OSCE/ODIHR report confirms serious flaws in Georgia’s recent parliamentary elections. Authorities must urgently address the priority recommendations to regain trust, recognition, and ensure a European future – one that has been driving hundreds of thousands of Georgians to the streets.” “After reviewing the OSCE/ODIHR report on the election in Georgia, I reiterate what I said earlier: the de facto Georgian Dream government is not legitimate. President Zurabishvili is the only legitimate force. Any new government must be formed through free and fair elections.” “I spoke with President Zurabishvili about the situation in Georgia. I reassured Madam President of my unwavering support for her leadership and the European aspirations of the Georgian people. They have an inalienable right to move towards a united Europe. New elections in accordance with OSCE recommendations are the way out of the current crisis.” “OSCE/ODIHR final report on the parliamentary elections in Georgia is now out, confirming its preliminary conclusions. This is not the standard that we expect from an EU candidate country.” “The OSCE/ODIHR report confirms serious flaws in Georgia’s elections. Authorities must address recommendations made and those responsible for human rights violations must be held accountable. I also emphasize that threatening statements by Georgian authorities are not acceptable.” “Our serious concerns over the recent Georgia elections are confirmed by OSCE/ODIHR in its final report. When elections are flawed, democracy is endangered.” “Being able to cast a vote in an election without fear of retribution is one of the most important elements of a democracy. In the recent election in Georgia this democratic right was compromised. ODIHR findings must be addressed and recommendations implemented. I thank OSCE/ODIHR for its invaluable work.” “Lies grow until they swallow their creators whole. Georgian Dream’s latest fiction—claiming OSCE/ODIHR legitimized these elections—cannot mask the truth: voter intimidation, violence, and systemic manipulation. This isn’t democracy; it’s a constitutional coup. The international community must continue to stand with the Georgian people and demand new elections to restore Georgia’s path to freedom and justice. The only legitimate voice of the people remains President Zurabishvili. Old Soviet habits die hard, but truth prevails. Always.” “The only solution to regain trust and confidence are new elections in Georgia.”Trump asks US Supreme Court to pause law threatening TikTok banNoneAaron Rodgers has had a predictably rocky tenure in New York. What else did you expect when a guy as polarizing as him landed in the City That Never Sleeps? While the non-football weirdness was expected, Rodgers was supposed to deliver wins to the New York Jets. Four out of 15 games won’t cut it. There’s now a lot of talk about the team and player parting ways this offseason. The player addressed that once again this week, but while doing so, he took an unexpected shot at owner Woody Johnson. Rodgers spoke Monday about the possibility of being released by the Jets after they wrap up this bummer of a season, even by Jets standards. He not only discussed the fact that he may be released for the first time in his career, but also that it might be owner Woody Johnson’s son, Brick, doing the releasing. According to Jets insider Rich Cimini, Rodgers brought up the possibility of being released unprompted. And he’s done so multiple times in recent weeks, according to Cimini. Rodgers also specifically mentioned the day after the season ends as a possibility for when he’ll be handed his walking papers. The Rodgers experiment has been rough. But, some point to the fact that the 41-year-old has been having, statistically speaking, one of the best QB seasons by a Jets QB in some time. His 62.8 completion percentage is the Jets’ best since 2017. He’s on pace to put up the 2nd-most passing yards ever by a Jets QB (Joe Namath). He’s also on pace for the 3rd-most TDs in a season (Ryan Fitzpatrick, Vinny Testaverde), and he’s tied a Jets record for the lowest INT rate (1.5). Even his 90.8 passer rating, which is a career low for Rodgers, would be 6th all-time for the Jets. However, while his raw numbers look pretty solid when compared to a pretty sorry history of Jets QBs, that hasn’t resulted in wins. They’re tied for the 7th-fewest wins in the NFL this season. Rodgers’ inability to make the right play in close games—New York is 3-7 in one-score games—has cost them. If recent reports turn out to be true, there is surely something else has that probably cost them even more over the last few years: Woody Johnson’s 17-year-old son, Brick. According to Diana Russini , who has not always been the most reliable insider but has also broken some massive Jets stories, Brick has had a significant influence on his father and the front office. He’s jokingly known around the league as New York’s “de facto GM”, according to other reports. Whistle Sports created a video on social media to break down the situation. It’s beyond worrying, even if only partially true. When he was just 14 in 2021, Brick was in the war room to call Zach Wilson when the Jets drafted him. The story Russini and others wrote for The Athletic contained lots of other examples of Brick’s emerging influence. The most jarring was an awkward post-game interaction following the team’s first win since Robert Saleh’s firing back on Halloween. Aaron Rodgers was about to hand interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich the game ball in an “energized” locker room, which is customary following a coach’s first career win. But then, Brick stepped in and authored what one player called “the most awkward, cringe-worthy, brutal experience.” This is just the latest and strangest of a litany of weird stories about Woody Johnson. There were also recent reports that wideout Jerry Jeudy’s Madden rating played a factor in Johnson nixing a trade for the wideout. Jeudy has enjoyed a breakout year with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, currently sitting 7th in receiving yards. Even if Aaron Rodgers is released, the Jets will still have Woody Johnson (and his sons). So how much better can they really be in 2025?
Trump gave Interior nominee one directive for a half-billion acres of US land: ‘Drill.’
I'm obsessed with my air fryer, and I've used it to cook dishes from to . To put the appliance to the test, I decided to try making a week's worth of dinners in my . Here's what I will and won't be making again. The I found from food blogger Melanie Cooks couldn't be more straightforward. First, I chopped the eggplant into 1-inch cubes. Then, I tossed them in olive oil, garlic powder, red pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. I placed my seasoned cubes into the preheated air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, shaking halfway through. I'd make this again as a side dish This was my first time cooking eggplant, and I thought the dish turned out surprisingly well. The bites were flavorful and a bit crispy — not overly mushy, which can happen often with eggplant dishes. Overall, this was super easy to make and delicious, just not super filling. I'd make it again as a side for a heartier main course. Food blogger said these were the "best hot dogs" I would ever make. I was skeptical about , but I loved not having to boil them and deal with the gross-smelling water that results from that. After preheating the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit, I made a few shallow cuts on the hot dogs to prevent them from inflating or exploding. Next, I put them in the air fryer for six minutes. I also toasted my buns in the air fryer. These hot dogs were great The buns were the true game changer. Before this, I'd eat my hot dogs with untoasted buns because I found them difficult to crisp properly in a regular toaster. But, after just a few minutes in the air fryer, they were perfect for the well-cooked hot dogs. I will definitely make this recipe again. I loosely followed a recipe from the blogger l, who wrote you could make this pizza in the oven for 10 minutes and get the same results as doing so in the air fryer. This recipe calls for premade crust, but I used a frozen pizza as my base. Fortunately, this wasn't an issue. My air-fryer baskets are small, so I had to cut my pizza before cooking it. I put the pizza in the air fryer for about six to seven minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The crust cooked quickly. Then, I followed the directions like it was a plain crust and topped it with slices of mozzarella and tomato. The recipe said to use Campari tomatoes, but I used cherry ones. They were so small that they slid off my pizza while it heated up in the air fryer. Still, I popped my pizza slices back into the air-fryer baskets and cooked them for five or so minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The cheese quickly melted, and I topped my slices with fresh basil and olive oil. The finished product came out tasty, with good texture and flavor I liked how crispy the crust turned out, and the pizza had a nice flavor. Although this was delicious, it was more complicated than just placing a whole pizza in the oven. My air-fryer baskets are small, so I had to cook four slices at a time instead of an entire pie at once. I'm sure it'd be just as tasty with a plain crust, too. Even so, it seemed unnecessary to use an air fryer instead of my oven. Food blog requires only bone-in, skin-on chicken (trimmed) and some spices. I shook my chicken thighs in a large bag with kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and onion powder to coat it in seasonings. Once the air fryer was preheated to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, it was time to cook them. First, I sprayed the baskets with oil and placed the thighs skin-side down for 12 minutes. I then flipped them and cooked them for another 10 minutes. I was impressed by how quickly and easily this recipe came together. The resulting chicken thighs had crispy, well-seasoned skin and juicy, tender meat. I had fun making mozzarella sticks The food blogger quick mozarella-stick recipe calls for light string cheese, Italian breadcrumbs, an egg, and flour, plus marinara sauce for dipping. First, I put my egg, breadcrumbs, and flour in three separate containers. After unwrapping the cheese, I coated it in flour, dipped it in egg, and then breadcrumbs. My favorite part was making sure each stick was perfectly coated in crumbles, which felt therapeutic and oddly satisfying. Then, the cheese sticks needed to be frozen for about an hour so they could firm up before being fried. Once they were done chilling, I popped the sticks into my 400-degree-Fahrenheit air fryer for four minutes, flipped them, and cooked them for another four minutes. These came out cheesy and delicious Some of the cheese ended up oozing out of the breading, especially after I flipped them. Still, they stayed together pretty well and tasted delicious. I also liked dipping the sticks in marinara. The vegan I used is from Allrecipes, and its main ingredients include potato, onion, and corn tortillas. The potato had to be cooked so I could make my filling, so I microwaved it for a bit to try to speed up the process. While the potato cooked, I made the sauce by simmering minced garlic and chopped onion in vegan butter. Next, I mashed my potato and combined it with salt, pepper, almond milk, and the buttery mixture. Then, I put the filling aside and heated my tortillas so I could roll the taquitos up. I heated the tortillas on the grate of a gas stove to make them easily rollable. This was tedious, and I found they could burn quickly if I looked away for even a minute. Once I had my tortilla perfectly heated, I put a spoonful of my inside it and rolled it up. Finally, I put the rolled taquitos in the preheated air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. After seven minutes, I flipped them, sprayed them with oil, then cooked them for three more minutes. These came out OK but were more work than I'd prefer These taquitos took a little more time to prepare than I'd anticipated. The filling was good and tasted like garlic mashed potatoes, but I would've preferred to eat it without the semi-crunchy tortilla wrapper that almost overpowered its flavor. It's nice that these were vegan, but I almost wish I'd chosen a recipe with meat to add some texture. Even so, the taquitos weren't too hard to make and tasted good enough for a snack. Food blogger makes her with three simple, classic ingredients: bread, cheese, and butter. I buttered one side of each piece of bread, placed cheese inside, then cooked my sandwich in a preheated air fryer at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for four minutes on each side. My sandwich turned out wonderfully cheesy The recipe recommends using toothpicks to hold the bread down, but I didn't have any, so I had to rearrange the bread midway through cooking, as it had blown off. Still, these sandwiches came out cheesy and fabulous — though I could've almost as easily made them in a pan. Each recipe was good enough to try, and I'd probably make all but 2 again I wouldn't cook the pizza or taquitos in the air fryer next time, but everything else felt surprisingly easier to make in the small-but-mighty appliance. The , grilled cheese, eggplant, and mozzarella sticks were all winners — and the chicken thighs took the crown for most filling and worthwhile. Read the original article on
Northwestern women blank Saint Joseph's 5-0 to win second national championship in field hockey( MENAFN - GetNews) Heritage of Excellence, Advancing with Honor. On November 25, the highly anticipated 15th Annual Construction Machinery Brand Ceremony was grandly held in Shanghai. During the event, the 2024 Top 10 Rankings of the Construction Machinery Industry were officially released. This prestigious conference honored the influential brands and outstanding products that emerged over the past year. By setting exemplary benchmarks for the industry, the event aims to promote industrial prosperity, foster innovation, and drive transformative development across the sector. Amid the overlapping trends of a new global energy revolution and deep technological innovation, the construction machinery industry is accelerating its transformation toward high-end, intelligent, and green development. Product lines for primary machinery have become increasingly diverse, with continuous improvements in quality and performance. Guided by industrial policies aimed at supplementing, strengthening, and extending supply chains, significant progress has been made in key core component technologies, providing robust support for collaborative development between primary and supporting enterprises, as well as for the industry's quality improvement and upgrading. At the same time, the vast stock market of existing equipment, combined with the push for large-scale equipment upgrades, has spurred new focus and positioning in aftermarket operations, including equipment leasing, spare parts distribution, maintenance services, and the trading of second-hand equipment. This selection process adhered to principles of rigor, authority, fairness, and objectivity. After three stringent rounds of evaluation-online voting, user scoring, and expert review-a new cohort of outstanding enterprises and products in the fields of machinery, components, and industry user applications emerged. These exemplary winners set a benchmark for the continued growth and innovation of the construction machinery industry. Click the link to view the complete list of award-winning companies. Adhering to the principle of "Building Brands, Strengthening Technology, and Shaping the Power and Value of Enterprises," the Brand Ceremony has been held for 15 consecutive years. It has consistently exerted remarkable influence within the industry, serving as a driving force for its development and earning widespread acclaim and support from industry professionals. Each edition of the Brand Ceremony aligns closely with the pulse of the times, celebrating the spirit of exceptional brands while inspiring numerous enterprises to pursue paths of branding and high-end development. The release of the industry rankings highlights the industry's recognition of companies' core technological capabilities and innovative product strength. This not only empowers enterprises with the "wings to soar" in their brand development but also injects fresh vitality into the sustainable growth of China's construction machinery industry! MENAFN23122024003238003268ID1109025386 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.
Taiwan’s former president Tsai Ing-wen had been due to visit the UK between 16 and 18 October before the Foreign Office intervened, the Guardian can disclose. Tsai was scheduled to visit London for two days as part of her first international tour since leaving office and was in discussions about addressing the UK parliament, according to a leaked letter. But the trip, which had been due to coincide with David Lammy’s visit to China , was pulled and Tsai was hosted by the French parliament on those dates instead. The leaked letter, sent to the Commons and Lords speakers in August, said Tsai “will visit London between 16th and 18th October” and that the UK Taiwanese office wanted to explore the possibility of her being hosted by parliament. The letter said Tsai would “greatly value” an invitation to address parliamentarians and attend a reception in the Commons speaker’s house. It said: “A significant number of MPs and peers would wish to hear her views on the years ahead in Taiwan.” A source involved in the discussions said the trip was pulled after the Foreign Office indicated to Taiwanese officials that it was not a good time for it. The source told the Guardian last month : “We got a note from the FCDO via the Taiwanese representative to the UK. It said: ‘Please can you defer this for a while because the foreign secretary is about to make a ‘goodwill visit’ to China and this would absolutely put the kibosh on it.’” This message will not have been have relayed by ministers because the UK does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Taiwan’s representative in London can only meet civil servants. An FCDO spokesperson said: “We do not recognise this characterisation of events. Parliamentarians are independent of government and are free to invite whoever they wish.” When asked about the postponed visit by the Guardian at an event in parliament last week, the director of Taiwan’s political division in London said he was not authorised to discuss it. Tsai’s office did not respond to a request for comment. China often does not differentiate between government and parliamentary meetings. Beijing has reacted angrily to Tsai’s meetings with political figures in Brussels, Paris and Prague. The French parliamentarians who hosted Tsai said China had tried to dissuade them from doing so. China’s foreign ministry described Tsai as a “Taiwan independence” figure last month and warned European countries that assisting her could “harm bilateral relations with China”. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually come under Beijing’s control, and there are fears it will eventually try to annex the island by force. Taiwan, which has never been ruled by the People’s Republic of China, sees itself as distinct and has its own constitution and democratically elected leaders. The Taiwanese population has grown increasingly opposed to China’s claims of sovereignty over it. The prospect of Tsai visiting the UK parliament next spring has been floated but the government will want this not to clash with Rachel Reeves’ planned visit to China early next year. Meanwhile, ministers are grappling with a controversial application to build a huge new Chinese embassy near Tower Bridge in east London, which has become a top issue in bilateral relations between London and Beijing. After it was rejected by Tower Hamlets council in 2022 following local opposition, the planning application was resubmitted this summer and has been called in by central government. In a letter published on the council’s website this weekend, Jon Savell, a deputy assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan police, raised concerns about the proposal and warned it would have a “significant” impact on local policing and resource in the area. The Guardian reported last month that China has refused to allow the UK to rebuild its embassy in Beijing while the status of its own embassy proposal in London is pending. Keir Starmer raised the issue with Xi Jinping in the first bilateral meeting between a UK prime minister and the Chinese president in more than six years. “You raised the Chinese embassy building in London when we spoke on the telephone and we have since taken action by calling in that application. Now we have to follow the legal process and timeline,” Starmer told Xi in recorded remarks on the margins of the G20 summit in Brazil.Snow pants are highly technical pieces of apparel. They’re designed more for practical outdoor use than they are for earning style points. For those who like to get out and about in the winter season, you’ll need a quality pair to keep you warm. They use waterproof exteriors along with insulated interiors to protect your legs from wet snow and cool temperatures. The best pair is the THE NORTH FACE Sally Pants . Their thick exterior protects you from the wind and snow and their DryVent ventilation system releases excess body heat. There are three types of snow pants . The most common type resembles your everyday pair of pants. Aside from the technical materials, the main difference is that they have a looser fit than normal pants. Snow pants are ideal for maximum mobility when skiing or snowboarding. Some bibs resemble overalls. They have an upper body portion connected to the pants and use straps to go over the shoulders. This gives you more protection from the elements, but it slightly restricts your movement. Then there are one-piece snowsuits, which have a coat and pants in a single slip-on piece. The best material used to make snow pants is polyester. It’s durable, water-resistant and inexpensive. Polyester is the material that makes up the bulk of a pair of snow pants. Many manufacturers will add nylon for even more long-term strength. There’s also elastic, which is used in ankle gaiters and some waistbands. Gore-Tex is another material used in many outdoor products like snow pants because it’s completely water-resistant. Snow pants are sized differently than normal pants. Instead of using numbers, they use small to large distinctions. This makes it easier because they’re sized more generally than your everyday pair of pants. Most brands go from XS to XXL, but some include more variations, such as large long and large short. This way, you can customize your fit based on your body type. Other brands will use inseam measurements if you know exactly how long you’d prefer the pants to be. Boot gaiters are sections of fabric that provide more security around the ankle. Walking through snow can cause your socks to get wet. This is not only uncomfortable but can also affect your body’s temperature. Gaiters use elastic to wrap tightly around your ankle while the exterior of your pants goes over your boots. Some pants have a reinforced seam and patches on the pant leg to prevent wear and tear around the ankle. This will also protect your ankles from bumps and bruises while on the slopes. Baggy snow pants are the best choice if you’re snowboarding or skiing. With more room between your legs and the exterior fabric, you can comfortably wear a pair of insulated tights underneath. Baggy pants also allow for more freedom of movement. With skiing, especially, you’ll need all the flexibility your legs can get. Loose-fitting pants will prevent seams from ripping too easily as well. Professional snowboarders and skiers who focus on tricks will exclusively wear baggy snow pants to give them more mobility. While snow pants are designed to keep you warm, sometimes, the heat can cause sweat to build up around your legs. For this reason, some pants come with built-in ventilation systems. These specially designed vents are woven into the pants and release excess heat. The vent is usually on the rear waist area. This positioning makes it discreet to the naked eye. Also, your coat will cover it most of the time, which prevents any cold air from entering from the outside. Women’s snow pants cost $30-$260. A. GORE-TEX is known for its waterproofing, but the ultra-tight weaves and thick fabric make it windproof as well. A. Most snow pants have two sets of pockets on either hip. They are usually sealed using zippers to keep your belongings protected. THE NORTH FACE Sally Pants What you need to know: These high-quality snow pants from North Face use thick materials to keep you dry. What you’ll love: The pants have a snug fit around the knees with a slight flare at the ankles. There’s a DryVent to prevent your legs from sweating and Heatseeker Eco insulation to protect you from the elements. There are zippered pockets, a belt loop around the waist and boot gaiters near the ankles. What you should consider: The waistband is not as adjustable as other pants. Arctix Insulated Cargo Snow Pants What you need to know: Arctix has the most customizable snow pants with a large selection of colors and sizes. What you’ll love: Key features include boot zippers, three pockets, an adjustable waistline and an O-ring for keys. There are 20 color options, such as Blue Night, Rose, Green Camo and Plum, alongside 45 size options. There are tall, long, short and inseam measurement size types. What you should consider: With all the sizing choices, finding the right one will be more difficult. Columbia Arctic Omni Heat Snow Pants What you need to know: The Omni Heat snow pants are highly insulated to offer the most warmth. What you’ll love: These pants use nylon for excellent durability on the outside. The interior has reflective Omni Heat technology that keeps the heat from leaving the pants. There’s an adjustable waist strap on the inside, zippered pockets at the hips and near the leg, plus a double snap closure at the waist. What you should consider: Some reviewers recommend buying a size up. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. 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Kanye West is in the middle of some massive flack for alleged Nazi designs in his newest Yeezy merch drop, and it lined up with his potential return to a more communicative space. In other words, get ready for another potential firestorm. Ye reportedly reactivated his Twitter this week, and you probably know at least some of the massive controversies and antics that he engaged in via the social media platform. As such, a lot of fans don't know what to expect and are understandably cautious as to the Chicago artist's potential activity. Of course, this is all just speculative, but history shows us that this is a potentially volatile combination. Furthermore, no one really has a solid vision of Kanye West's mind state these days, but many are going off of his past tendencies. For example, fans might point to a 2020 lawsuit deposition that he participated in, footage of which recently emerged via A&E's Interrogation Raw: Celebrity Under Oath show. As many probably expected or predicted, Ye's behavior at this meeting was quite standoffish and unruly , although it doesn't even come close to his lowest moments. Read More: Top 40 Hottest Hip-Hop Albums Of 2024 Elsewhere, perhaps Kanye West will take advantage of his Twitter to speak about the various lawsuits against him these days... For better or worse. One of these is from former teenage employees alleging a hostile work environment, who request a default judgement against him. For those unaware, this group of teens – aged from 14 to 17 – claimed along with adult plaintiffs that they suffered discriminatory bullying and received explicit content while Ye was working on adult entertainment ventures. The lawsuit also names Milo Yiannopoulos, his former chief of staff, and Yeezy LLC as codefendants. With all this in mind, we're sure that many Kanye West fans would rather stay in the dark on his Twitter activity, or hope that he just stayed off it. But then again, we have no idea if this reactivation will actually yield anything. Amid a turbulent 2024 critically and an even more chaotic year personally, this is certainly a worrisome sign. Let's cross our fingers and manifest a lack of incendiary statements. Read More: Top 50 Hottest Hip-Hop Songs Of 2024
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CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business and won three straight games for the first time this season. Cincinnati is playing its best football, but it might be too late to sneak into the playoffs, with five teams battling for the two remaining AFC postseason spots. At 7-8, the Bengals are on the bubble along with two other teams that have the same record, the Colts and Dolphins. To have a chance, the Bengals will need to beat the visiting Denver Broncos (9-6) on Saturday, then try to take down the Steelers (10-5) at Pittsburgh in the regular-season finale. They'll need some help from other teams, too. The rub for the Bengals is that they have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season. Now with some momentum for the first time, the Bengals will have to clear that hurdle. “It’s just what it’s supposed to feel like for us. This is our expectation," coach Zac Taylor said after the Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 24-6 on Sunday. “We just put ourselves in a position to now play some real meaningful games. ... We found a way to get the win and now we can turn our focus to a short week and the Denver Broncos.” Joe Burrow became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 250 yards and three or more touchdowns in seven consecutive games. One of his TD passes, to Tee Higgins, came as he was falling down. He finished 23 for 30 for 252 yards. ... Ja'Marr Chase continues to build his resume as he strives to win the receiving “triple crown.” He had six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Browns and leads the league in receptions, yards and TDs. ... K Cade York tied a franchise record with a 59-yard field goal. “The guys have responded this way all season,” Taylor said. “We lost some heartbreakers to be quite frank, and games that just came down to the end. It doesn’t mean that we’ve had a bad football team and we weren’t in it. We’ve been in this, and now — I don’t want to say getting our confidence back, because we’ve had confidence — but we’re just making the plays necessary at the critical points of the game to take control of these games. That’s really what’s happened the last three weeks, and we’ve got to continue that.” Burrow has fumbled 10 times this season. Against the Browns, he lost a fumble on a strip-sack with the Bengals on the Cleveland 2-yard-line. Last week, S Jordan Battle scooped a fumble and ran it all the way back, only to fumble as he crossed the goal line, leading to a touchback. Against the Browns, he intercepted a second-half pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the end zone. The Bengals' defense has nine takeaways in the past two games. Cincinnati's depleted offensive line allowed four sacks. The offensive line took a hit when tackle Amarius Mims went out with an ankle injury and didn't return. 5.1 — Yards per carry by RB Chase Brown, who seems to get better every week. He had 18 carries for 91 yards. The Bengals continue their improbable effort to slip into the playoffs when they host the Broncos in their home finale on Saturday. They finish the season the following week at Pittsburgh.OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Monday unveiled what he calls an “early” but transformative step in AI video technology. The new tool, likened to “GPT-1 for video,” promises an accessible co-creation experience and is already sparking excitement among early adopters. What Happened: OpenAI has rolled out an AI-powered video generation feature named Sora that offers users groundbreaking creative possibilities. Altman emphasized the collaborative potential of the tool in a post on X, stating , “One of the most exciting things to me about this product is how easy it is to co-create with others; it feels like an interesting new thing!” This rollout follows a recent announcement of OpenAI's “12 Days of OpenAI” event, showcasing new launches and features, Altman shared on X. Currently, users with OpenAI Plus accounts receive 50 generations per month, while Pro subscribers can access 500 fast generations or unlimited slow-mode creations. Also Read: Taiwan Semiconductor Extends Lead As Top Chipmaker Why It Matters: This development builds on OpenAI's rapid user adoption, with recent data revealing 300 million weekly active ChatGPT users and over 1 billion daily messages sent. The company's growth trajectory, valued at $157 billion, is drawing global attention, with innovations like Sora—the anticipated full release of its AI video model—potentially reshaping creative industries. Altman closed his announcement with optimism, encouraging users to explore the tool’s creative potential: “This is early... but I already think the feed is so compelling. Excited to see what you make.” Read Next: C3.ai Stock Rides Bullish Wave: Will Q2 Earnings Bring Reality Check? Photo: Shutterstock This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Italy secured the ultimate recognition at the end of the 2024 Davis Cup finals, held in Malaga. Thanks to an e xtraordinary performance by Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner , Italian tennis celebrates a golden year. The trophy raised high marks a historic period for this sport in the country. Third Davis Cup victory in the history of the Italian men’s National Team The Davis Cup, the most prestigious men’s team tennis tournament, is painted blue once again. After victories in 1976 and 2023 , Italy now boasts three titles. In the same year, the women’s team also claimed victory in the Billie Jean King Cup , the female counterpart to the Davis Cup, thanks to the remarkable performances of J asmine Paolini , Sara Errani , Lucia Bronzetti , Martina Trevisan , and E lisabetta Cocciaretto . This is the first time in history that a single nation has won both competitions in the same year . The triumph of the men’s team, predicted last year by Jannik Sinner, lived up to expectations. The squad, composed of Sinner , Berrettini , Lorenzo Musetti , Andrea Vavassori , and Simone Bolelli , shone brightly and captured the hearts of fans. The spotlight of the public and media focused especially on Jannik Sinner (and consequently on the men’s team), currently ranked number one in the world, and on Matteo Berrettini, who regained his best form after a long and challenging period. Their talent and determination sealed Italy’s victory in the final against the Netherlands. Matteo Berrettini defeated Botic Van de Zandschulp with a convincing 6-4, 6-2, while Jannik Sinner , with his fluid and spectacular playing style, overcame Tallon Griekspoor with a score of 7-6, 6-2. The year 2024 will be remembered as one of redemption and consecration for Italian tennis. In addition to successes in the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup, individual results speak volumes: Italy confirms itself as an absolute protagonist in the global tennis panorama, with a team spirit and individual talent that inspire entire generations of fans. Congratulations to our teams: the future of Italian tennis has never looked brighter . Featured image credit Related Posts:
People facing long waits for NHS weight loss services could be taking matters into their own hands by buying potentially unsafe jabs online, the nation’s top GP has warned. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs , warned some people are putting themselves at risk by purchasing drugs online from unregulated retailers, as well as potentially missing out on wraparound support needed alongside the medication. She also raised concerns about the safety of cheaper alternatives to the pre-filled injection pens which involve people preparing part of the medicine at home. It comes as the medicines regulator warned against buying weight loss medicines without a prescription on social media or through beauty salons. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) urged people to be aware of fake pharmacy websites and social media posts offering weight-loss medicines illegally without a prescription. It warned criminals will go to “great lengths” to make their businesses appear “authentic” and the products they are selling could potentially contain “toxins and other ingredients that could cause real harm”. Andy Morling, MHRA’s deputy director of criminal enforcement, said: “At this time of year, with many of us thinking about shedding a little excess weight, we see people offering weight loss medicines for sale as a quick fix, without a healthcare professional’s prescription, from beauty salons, websites and on social media. “These are not cosmetic treatments; they are powerful medicines that can only be legally and safely dispensed against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional. “Criminals go to great lengths to make their website storefronts look authentic and convincing, so before you buy any medicine online you should exercise caution. For online pharmacies based in Great Britain you can check on the General Pharmaceutical Council’s website that it is properly registered. “Fake pharmacy websites and social media sellers illegally supply medicines that are not approved for use in the UK. These may contain toxins and other ingredients that could cause real harm, and you may even end up in hospital.” Meanwhile, Prof Hawthorne said the population is “gradually getting bigger and bigger” and has called on the Government to improve existing weight reduction services by ensuring they are properly resourced and have enough staff to meet demand. She urged people to reach out for help from their GPs before turning to the internet to buy drugs online. In an interview with the PA news agency, Prof Hawthorne said: “I think quite a lot of people are buying weight loss drugs privately. “We do have some serious concerns about that, because you don’t always know the provenance of the drugs that you’re buying unless it’s coming from an accredited company that’s properly regulated, and some of these places are not fully regulated. “So I think I would definitely be counselling the public not to do that privately, if they can possibly help it, and go to their GP.” Prof Hawthorne added that patients may not be getting appropriate wraparound care when they purchase the drugs online. She continued: “The place where I’m working we are referring people to weight loss clinics, but there’s a very long wait. “In the meantime, we’re talking about what else they can be doing to lose weight.” Asked if the long wait for weight management services could be turning people to buying drugs online, she said: “Yes, I’m sure that they do. “If you’re faced with a two-year waiting time and you want to lose weight now, and you know that there is a way that you can lose weight, you know that drug works because nobody’s denying that they don’t work, you might well decide that you’re going to just sort it out yourself. “I would definitely suggest that you come and talk to your doctor or practice nurse about what you’re intending to do and let them help you – they may know ways of helping you that you haven’t thought about. “So definitely come and talk about it. Please don’t go off and buy a (weight-loss injection) unless it is under the supervision of a medically qualified doctor.” Prof Hawthorne went on: “We are as a population gradually getting bigger and bigger, and that brings with it a huge amount of chronic illness. “We are calling on the Government to improve the services for weight reduction.” A recent Obesity Health Alliance report highlighted how some patients are being asked to wait for up to five years for specialist weight management support. Some overweight and obesity management services are so overstretched that they have closed their waiting lists entirely. The alliance claimed the provision of services is “insufficient and unavailable to a significant number of people”. Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, told PA: “Weight loss medications offer hope of tangible improvements in the lives of people with severe, chronic obesity. “However, these drugs are only safe and effective for those for whom they are medically appropriate, as prescribed by a legitimate prescriber, and are not a long-term solution for the millions of people living with obesity.” Earlier this year, NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said “weight loss drugs will be a game-changer”, but “without transforming pathways they could overwhelm already-stretched services”. Obese people have been told they “will have to wait” for the so-called King Kong of weight-loss jabs, Mounjaro, amid a carefully managed NHS rollout, which spans 12 years. In the initial three years of its rollout, an estimated 220,000 people could benefit from the drug, out of around 3.4 million people estimated to be eligible. Those with the highest need will be front of the queue and NHS officials have pledged to review the rollout after the initial phase. The latest Health Survey for England shows 64% of adults were overweight or obese in 2022. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Obesity can be debilitating, costing lives, the economy and the NHS. “The introduction of the weight loss drugs to the NHS will ensure that those with the most need will receive treatment first. “Where appropriate, these obesity drugs can greatly benefit those in real need. “However, we recognise these drugs are not a replacement for a good diet and exercise and as part of our 10 Year Health Plan we will shift the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention.”Why Every Home Needs A Smart Doorbell: Features That Go Beyond The Doorstep
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