The Magic Mountain is a sweeping critique of totalitarian Europe. 100 years later, its warnings about extremism feel urgentonline gambling research paper 。

Gonzaga lands Virginia transfer G Jalen WarleyACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Ghana’s former leader John Dramani Mahama was declared the winner of the presidential election on Monday and pledged a “a life of limitless opportunity” for citizens after voters vented their anger over the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. Previously president of the West African nation between 2012 and 2017, the 65-year-old Mahama received 56.5% of votes cast, or 6.3 million votes, the electoral commission said. His main opponent from the current governing party, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat on Sunday and got 41%, or 4.6 million votes. Electoral commissioner Jean Mensa said vote-counting continued in nine constituencies but would not change the final result. Turnout was just over 60%. Mahama had promised to “reset” the country on various fronts. His campaign prioritized the economy and largely appealed to young Ghanaians who saw the vote as a way out of the economic crisis . In his victory speech on Monday, Mahama said Ghana must be able to meet the basic needs of its people including affordable housing, health care, food, clean water, safe work and fair wages. “We want a Ghana that considers the well-being of all her citizens and affords them each the ability to live a life of dignity, a life of limitless opportunity,” he said. “This country, this land, is not for one person or for one family or for one tribe or ethnic group.” He said the last eight years under outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo have "left a scar on our national psyche, which may take some time to erase.” Mahama’s win is viewed as following the trend of elections around the world, favoring opposition parties against incumbents. Mahama’s National Democratic Congress also won the majority in parliament. After Bawumia conceded defeat, celebrations broke out among opposition supporters in the capital, Accra, and elsewhere. Women and young people danced to music and trumpet blasts. The election for both the president and members of parliament was seen as a litmus test for democracy in a region shaken by extremist violence and coups . West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, called the election generally peaceful, not unusual for Ghana. The governing New Patriotic Party has struggled to resolve the economic crisis under outgoing Akufo-Addo. The former president is “the only person” who can fix the ailing economy in Ghana, one of West Africa’s economic powerhouses, said Jude Agbemava, a policy analyst who voted for him. The people made their disaffection known against a government that has lost goodwill, said Seidu Alidu, head of the department of political science at Ghana’s University of Legon. The economy is “largely a bread and butter issue for every Ghanaian,” Alidu said. “When the people elect you, they require you to do certain things for them. But it was also about the style of governance (because) even in other countries facing economic challenges, governments were being honest with the people, telling them what the reality is, and the steps they have taken to manage it.”

Jets back in winning form, take on Penguins

New facilities worth RM654,000 improve access for students, teachers on Tioman Island

The Latest: Suspect in United Healthcare CEO's killing charged with weapons, forgery, other chargesAston Villa fails in its bid to overturn Jhon Duran’s red card at Newcastle BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Aston Villa says it has failed in an attempt to have Jhon Duran’s red card at Newcastle overturned on appeal. The 21-year-old Colombia international was sent off 32 minutes into a 3-0 defeat in the Premier League at St. Canadian Press Dec 27, 2024 3:19 PM Dec 27, 2024 3:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Newcastle United's Fabian Schar, left lays on the pitch after being fouled by Aston Villa's Jhon Duran leading to a red card, during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St. James' Park, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP) BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Aston Villa says it has failed in an attempt to have Jhon Duran’s red card at Newcastle overturned on appeal. The 21-year-old Colombia international was sent off 32 minutes into a 3-0 defeat in the Premier League at St. James’ Park on Thursday after appearing to stamp on defender Fabian Schar, prompting a furious reaction from Villa head coach Unai Emery, who later indicated that the club would appeal. However, Villa said Friday night that its bid was unsuccessful and the forward will now serve a three-match ban for violent conduct. “Aston Villa can confirm that our decision to appeal Jhon Duran’s red card in our match with Newcastle United has been rejected," a statement on Villa’s official X account read. "The player will now miss our next three matches.” Duran will miss Premier League games against Brighton and Leicester, followed by Villa's FA Cup third-round match with West Ham on Jan. 10. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Soccer Arsenal moves up to second in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Ipswich Dec 27, 2024 2:33 PM Union Berlin fires coach Bo Svensson after 9 games without a win Dec 27, 2024 12:00 PM Ronaldo backs Amorim at Man United, picks Vinicius over Rodri at soccer awards Dec 27, 2024 11:33 AM

The Rams did not play Sunday, but they still won the NFC West. A victory on Saturday over the Arizona Cardinals positioned the Rams to capture the division title via the NFL’s strength of victory tiebreaking metric. The Cincinnati Bengals’ victory over the Denver Broncos on Saturday, plus the Buffalo Bills’ victory over the New York Jets, the Minnesota Vikings’ victory over the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders’ victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday gave the Rams the tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks. So the game between the Rams and Seahawks at 1:25 p.m. on Sunday at SoFi Stadium will enable Rams coach Sean McVay to possibly rest starters for an NFC wild-card playoff game that the Rams will host. The Rams won the division for the fourth time in McVay’s eight seasons as coach. They also won in 2017 when they lost in the wild-card round, 2018 when they lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII and 2021 when they defeated the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. For the second season in a row, the Rams made a dramatic turnaround after their open date. In 2023, the Rams were 3-6 and then won seven of their last eight games to advance to the playoffs. The Detroit Lions then defeated the Rams in a wild-card game at Detroit. This season, the Rams started 1-4 before winning nine of their next 11 games. “A lot of people doubted us and a lot of people wrote us off at 1-4,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said after a 13-9 victory over the Cardinals . “To be able to sit here with our record what it is right now, I feel proud of this group.”LONDON: News broke this week that the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) wants to force Alphabet’s Google to sell Chrome , its dominant web browser. That has led to much head scratching in the tech industry. Sure, Chrome is an important moat for Google’s business, but is it really the source of the company’s power? And if a company buys Chrome for an estimated US$20 billion, wouldn’t that mean someone else controls two-thirds of the browser market? Read the tea leaves carefully and there’s more happening here. The DOJ, for one, seems to be moving quickly to get ahead of any efforts by the incoming Trump administration (of which more, later) to shut down its most ambitious work in decades. There’s something larger looming on the horizon. Google is too large for the DOJ to break it up all at once, and the agency has two separate cases against the company, each pushing for spinoffs of different parts of the business. The department’s efforts on Chrome relate to a case it filed in 2020, focusing on Google’s search monopoly. But the DOJ also filed another case in 2023 that’s arguably more important, targeting its ad tech business. As a reminder: Google dominates digital advertising by controlling both the marketplace for online ads, and the essential tools that advertisers and websites need to participate. The business generates roughly US$200 billion in annual revenue. That’s great for shareholders, but a raw deal for advertisers and website owners. Trade stocks and you’ll pay pennies on the dollar in transaction fees. But an advertiser is more likely to pay 30 cents on every dollar they spend on ad-buying tools, according to the DOJ’s suit, making the ad market work most profitably for Google above all. Google’s lawyers have argued that it competes fiercely against others including social media and video streaming sites for ad dollars. STRUCTURAL REMEDIES ARE NEEDED The “structural remedies” that the DOJ calls for in both cases - potentially the first breakup of a conglomerate since AT&T in the early 1980s - are very much needed. Tech giants have long seen the multi-billion-dollar fines they get from regulators as a cost of doing business. When the Federal Trade Commission fined Meta US$5 billion in 2019, its stock went up. And companies have been known to skirt regulatory efforts to force better behaviour. Breakups at least address the root of tech firms’ power, which is scale. “Divestiture is a more effective remedy,” says Anne Witt, professor of law at EDHEC Business School's Augmented Law Institute. “The downside is it’s more invasive.” That’s why pushing to first divest Chrome makes sense as a prelude to breaking up the ad tech business, even though that’s where Google’s real market power lies. Trying to disentangle Google’s ad tech business, a byzantine network of interplaying units, will require careful strategic planning by regulators, so the DOJ needs to build up institutional knowledge and legal precedent to make the bigger move. Breakups of past monopolies also started with smaller actions. Before the DOJ split AT&T into seven regional holding companies known as “Baby Bells”, for instance, it filed several smaller cases through the 1970s, building up to the main 1974 case that led to the forced sales. BREAKUP IS POSSIBLE UNDER TRUMP Much of this depends on whether the DOJ’s efforts survive under a President Donald Trump. When Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait recently asked whether Google should be broken up, the then-candidate responded: “Look, Google has got a lot of power. They’ve been bad to me...” “You would break them up? “I’d do something,” Trump replied. “They’ve become such a power. How they became a power is really the discussion. At the same time, it’s a very dangerous thing because we want to have great companies. We don’t want China to have these companies. Right now, China is afraid of Google.” Trump may be unsure where he stands, but a breakup is by no means off the table. Not only was the DOJ’s search case filed at the tail end of Trump’s last term, but incoming vice president JD Vance has publicly said Google should be split up. Elon Musk, now a key player in Trump’s administration, has also long worried about the company’s consolidation of control in artificial intelligence. He also has a vested interest in the matter, as the founder of a new AI company and chief executive officer and “technoking” of Tesla, for which the technology is integral. There’s a good chance, in other words, that the DOJ’s efforts could prevail - albeit slowly. The court is holding hearings on the proposed breakup in April 2025, with US Judge Amit Mehta expected to rule by August. Google will almost certainly appeal, and the process could take years. Still, if history is any guide, kicking things off with a divorce from Chrome isn’t just strategic. It’s the opening move in what could eventually become the biggest antitrust showdown since AT&T.

Dylan Hayman, Davion Bailey score 18 apiece to lead Incarnate Word over Texas Lutheran 99-48

The Bitcoin rally sparked by US President-elect Donald Trump ’s election victory in early November is stalling as 2024 draws to a close. The digital asset wavered at $93,678 as of 7:53 a.m. on Monday in Singapore, about $15,000 below the record high set in mid-December. Smaller tokens like Ether and meme-crowd favorite Dogecoin also struggled for traction. Trump’s preference for crypto friendly regulations and support for the idea of a national Bitcoin reserve lifted digital assets. But scaled back expectations for interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve have cooled the speculative frenzy. Also read: Montenegro to extradite crypto entrepreneur Do Kwon to US More clarity on the US crypto regime is likely to emerge after Trump assumes power on Jan. 20. The Republican’s stance contrasts with President Joe Biden’s administration, which cracked down on the scandal-prone sector. Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group, said “the momentum has come out of the post-election move” in Bitcoin, partly due to outflows from exchange-traded funds for the token. Meanwhile, software maker turned Bitcoin accumulator MicroStrategy Inc. has been on a buying spree in the past few weeks. Traders are waiting to see if the company — which owns more than $40 billion of the digital asset — will continue a pattern of announcing Bitcoin purchases on Mondays. Also read: Who is Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin? The original cryptocurrency has climbed roughly 120% this year, outstripping traditional investments such as global stocks and gold. Bitcoin also more than doubled in 2023 in a comeback from a deep bear market.CGI Inc. Cl A stock rises Monday, outperforms marketNone

Vancouver's Bench Accounting abruptly shuts down, with 600 jobs potentially lostGhana's ex-leader is declared the presidential election winner and pledges 'reset' in a bad economy

Senate Bill Seeks Intel Community Partnerships for Tech Access

Wake Forest still experimenting ahead of Detroit Mercy gameABUJA – The Minister of the Federal Cap­ital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a scathing re­buke of former Rivers State gov­ernor, Dr. Peter Odili, accusing him of engaging in sycophancy and lacking the integrity expect­ed of an elder statesman. Wike’s remarks came during a special thanksgiving service or­ganised by the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of As­sembly, Hon. Martin Chike Amae­whule, held at the Church of Ni­geria (Anglican Communion) in Port Harcourt on Sunday. The FCT minister in a state­ment signed by his Media Aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, criticised Odili for his recent comments, praising the current Rivers State governor as having surpassed the achievements of all previous gov­ernors, including Wike himself. Wike dismissed the comments as insincere and politically mo­tivated. “How can an elder statesman, someone who is supposed to be a father figure, reduce himself to a sycophant and a trader?” Wike asked. “Must you be a trader all the time? After serving as governor for eight years, what else are you looking for?” Wike claimed that Odili’s state­ments were inconsistent with his earlier positions, highlight­ing past instances where Odili praised Wike’s administration. “When I was governor, this same Odili praised me to high heaven,” Wike recalled. “He said all past governors combined did not achieve what I did. Now, barely a year into a new admin­istration, he’s already saying this governor has done more than all past governors. What kind of el­der talks like this?” Wike also detailed his contri­butions to Odili’s legacy, including state sponsorship of students at PAMO University, a private insti­tution linked to Odili. “Rivers State sponsored 100 students per session, each pay­ing nothing less than N5 million. People attacked me for it, but I stood firm because I believed in supporting him,” Wike explained. He added, “I personally called Julius Berger to build him a mansion. He was taking people around, saying, ‘Look at what Wike has done for me.’ Now, be­cause of a Christmas Carol, he’s singing a different tune. Why reduce yourself to a laughing stock?” Wike further criticised Odi­li’s political inconsistencies, ac­cusing him of neglecting his late elder brother’s son for a political appointment. “It was his nephew, his late senior brother’s son, that was recommended for commissioner. But what did he do? He took the slot and gave it to his own daugh­ter. Is that the mark of an elder statesman?” He also accused Odili of syco­phantic behaviour towards the current Rivers State governor. “When I was plotting who would be governor after me, was he there? Then, he said this gover­nor couldn’t speak in public. Now, he’s organising Christmas Carols for him,” Wike said. Wike questioned the values Odili was passing on to younger generations. “When your children ask you, ‘Is this not the same man you praised before?’ What will you tell them? An elder must be consistent and uphold integrity,” he stated. Wike concluded by urging Odili and others to focus on uni­ty and sincerity in governance rather than divisive politics. “We have left the government. We are managing. You’ve taken the Assembly money; they are not dying of hunger, and they will not die of hunger. But all these syco­phancies will not elevate you to the level I have attained,” Wike said. The minister’s remarks high­light ongoing tensions within the Rivers State political landscape, raising questions about the conduct and integrity of its key players.

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria falloutNew Year 2025 travel alert! Looking for a unique way to celebrate the New Year 2025? From fireworks to cultural experiences and lively parties, here are 10 must-visit destinations for New Year's Eve celebrations. ET Year-end Special Reads Two sectors that rose on India's business horizon in 2024 2025 outlook: Is it time for cautious optimism or rekindling animal spirits? 2024: Govt moves ahead with simultaneous polls plan; India holds largest democratic exercise New York City, USA: Following the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball, confetti is thrown into the air. With its yearly New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, where fireworks are set off at midnight, New York City is getting ready to welcome the year 2025. Officials and organisers say they are ready to welcome the crowds and guarantee their safety as throngs of revellers usher in the New Year 2025 under the bright lights of Times Square. NYC is well-known for its spectacular ball drops in Times Square, which are accompanied by fireworks, music, and other festivities. One of the most exciting locations to ring in the new year is here. ALSO READ New Year Eve 2025: The Best Parties and Events Worldwide Sydney, Australia: Early fireworks lit up the Sydney Opera House during New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia. Sydney's famous harbour fireworks show provides breathtaking views of the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. The city's pleasant summer weather only adds to its appeal. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Tokyo, Japan: In Tokyo, people walk beneath the New Year's decorations. Tokyo, which blends modern and traditional elements in an unusual way, celebrates New Year's Eve with spectacular fireworks, countdown parties, and temple visits. The energetic city hosts a variety of cultural events and exciting parties. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: Brazil hosts one of the world's largest New Year's Eve celebrations on Copacabana beaches, featuring a view of Christ the Redeemer and millions of white-clad revellers dressed in white for good luck. Edinburgh, Scotland Edinburgh's Hogmanay festival, renowned for its torchlight procession, live music, street parties, and Europe's largest fireworks display, is a top-tier New Year's celebration. Paris, France: France's Paris Paris's Eiffel tower is illuminated and at its most spectacular on New Year's Eve. All night long, the city is filled with amazing light and fireworks displays. With glitzy festivities along the Champs-Élysées and a breathtaking light display at the Eiffel Tower, the City of Lights shines even brighter on New Year's Eve. Many like a stylish party on the Seine or in Montmartre. Berlin, Germany: Germany's Berlin An image of Berlin's famous Brandenburg Gate's quadriga on New Year's Eve. With a huge street party at the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin hosts one of the largest outdoor New Year's Eve celebrations in Europe. Anticipate an electrifying atmosphere, live music, and fireworks. Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai, United Arab Emirates On New Year's Eve, fireworks burst at Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world. Dubai is a popular destination for New Year's Eve around the world because of its spectacular fireworks displays, particularly over the Burj Khalifa. The city provides countless entertainment options and extravagant events in addition to opulent parties. Bangkok, Thailand: To commemorate the beginning of the New Year, people in Bangkok light incense sticks at a shrine and hang Chinese lanterns. Bangkok is a fun place to start the year because of its vibrant street parties and rooftop bars. The allure is increased by the city's lively atmosphere, street cuisine, and riverfront fireworks. Cape Town, South Africa: Enjoy a beautiful view of Table Mountain while celebrating New Year's Eve in style. A massive party is held at the V&A Waterfront, complete with live music, fireworks, and a vibrant atmosphere that lasts the entire night. FAQs Where can I have a family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration? New York City's Times Square and Edinburgh's Hogmanay festival provide family-friendly activities such as fireworks, music, and safe environments. Which location is known for the most spectacular fireworks displays? Dubai's Burj Khalifa leads the way with breathtaking and extravagant fireworks that draw visitors from all over the world. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Xavier Bell scores 29 to lead Wichita State over Friends University 87-72