www.bmy88 METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Dejounte Murray plans to return to the New Orleans Pelicans ' lineup on Wednesday night for the first time since fracturing his left hand in a season-opening victory over Chicago on Oct. 23. And when Murray takes the court against the Toronto Raptors , his mother will be on his mind. After practice on Tuesday, Murray discussed his impending return and disclosed more details about the previously unspecified “personal matters” that caused him to leave the team during the final days of the preseason. His mother had a stroke, he said. “It was tough to leave and go deal with that. As she got better, she wanted me to come play,” Murray said of his last-minute decision to start against Chicago. He added that his hand injury near the end of that game was God's way of telling him, “‘Nah, you need to stay with your mom.’” “I was more concerned about my mother. That was my priority,” Murray continued. “I wasn’t really worried about my recovery.” Murray's mother has recovered well, he said, while he is “healthy and ready to help this team.” “I’m ready to hoop. Play for my mother — she’s going to be watching," Murray said. “I’m ready to compete, bring that winning spirit.” The Pelicans (4-14) certainly could use the help, having lost 14 of 16 games since opening the season with a pair of victories. Injuries have ravaged the roster. At times, all five starters have been out. Star power forward Zion Williamson has missed 12 games this season — one with an illness and 11 with a hamstring injury. Herb Jones has been sidelined by a shoulder strain and Brandon Ingram's status is in doubt after he sat out practice on Tuesday with calf soreness that also sidelined him during a loss on Monday night at Indiana. But at least two starters — Murray and fellow guard CJ McCollum — are expected to play against the Raptors. “I don’t care how many games we’ve lost. I just know every time I step on the floor I feel like we can win games,” said Murray, who had 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in his lone game with the Pelicans. "That’s just my mentality, and I feel like it can carry over to a lot of guys.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBAA judge has once again rejected Musk's multi-billion-dollar Tesla pay package. Now what?

Global Launch of JETOUR T2 i-DM: Reshaping the Hybrid SUV Market

Dejounte Murray is rejoining the Pelicans vs. Toronto and drawing inspiration from his motherWorld Chess champion Magnus Carlsen will no longer compete in the World Rapid or Blitz Chess Championships after violating the International Chess Federation’s dress code policy. Carlsen, who was set to compete in both tournaments in New York City from Dec. 26-28, breached the organization's rules by wearing jeans to the competition. FIDE released a statement on the social media site about Carlsen’s breach of dress code, which read in part, “FIDE regulations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, including the dress code, are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.” “Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen breached the dress code by wearing jeans, which are explicitly prohibited under long-standing regulations for this event,” the statement continued. “The Chief Arbiter informed Mr. Carlsen of the breach, issued a $200 fine, and requested that he change his attire.” The statement explained that Carlsen declined the opportunity to change and thus was not paired for the ninth round. Carlsen, who shared a photo of his outfit on , spoke about the incident during an interview with During the interview, the chess champion said that he had a lunch meeting and “barely had time” to go back to his hotel room and change before competing, so he only had a chance to change his shirt, jacket, and shoes but “didn’t even think about the jeans.” “I don’t know if it was after the first game or second game, but I got a warning that I need to change,” he said, before clarifying, “Well, first of all, I got a fine, which is fine. Then I got a warning that I would not be paired if I didn’t go change my clothes.” Carlsen said that he was given permission to change after the third round of the tournament. He explained that he would change for the next day of competition but was told that he needed to “change now.” “At that point, it became a bit of a matter of principle for me,” Carlsen explained. “So here we are.” When asked if he had appealed the decision, Carlsen, 34, said that he was “too old at this point to care too much.” “If this is what they want to do, I guess it goes both ways, right?” he added. “Nobody wants to back down and this is where we are. It’s fine by me. I’ll probably head off to somewhere where the weather is a bit nicer than here.” Carlsen said that it would be unlikely for him to come back to compete in the World Blitz Chess Championship, explaining, “I don’t know what would have to change for that to happen, but no.” “It’s OK,” Carlsen added. “They can enforce their rules, that’s fine by me, and my response is that ‘Fine, then I’m out.’” In addition to Carlsen's penalty, FIDE said in the statement that Ian Nepomniachtchi also received a fine for breaching the dress code policy after wearing “sports shoes.” The organization said that Nepomniachtchi eventually complied with the rules by changing into “approved attire” and continued with the tournament. “These rules have been in place for years and are well-known to all participants and are communicated to them ahead of each event,” the statement read. “FIDE has also ensured that the players’ accommodation is within a short walking distance from the playing venue, making adherence to the rules more convenient.” Nepomniachtchi referenced the incident on and shared a photo of his outfit, adding, “As the chief arbiter just told me, none other than Ahmed Adly believes that a chess player should not dress like that. So the $200 fine will (hopefully) go to the Chess Fashion Research Foundation.” Francesca Gariano is a New York City-based freelance journalist reporting on culture, entertainment, beauty, lifestyle and wellness. She is a freelance contributor to TODAY.com, where she covers pop culture and breaking news.Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.”

Colby Rogers made 6 of 9 3-pointers and scored 28 points as host Memphis defeated No. 16 Ole Miss 87-70 on Saturday afternoon. Rogers fouled out and finished one 3-pointer and one point short of his career-highs in both categories and Memphis never trailed. PJ Haggerty added 17 points, Dain Dainja had 16 and Moussa Cisse, an Ole Miss transfer who's in his second stint with the Tigers (10-3), had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Sean Pedulla scored 13, Jaylen Murray had 12 and Malik Dia added 11 to lead the Rebels (11-2), who had won their last five games. Memphis scored the first five points of the second half to increase its lead to 43-36. Pedulla made a layup for Ole Miss' first points, but Nicholas Jourdain made consecutive field goals to push the lead to nine. Mikeal Brown-Jones made two free throws for the Rebels before Haggerty made a 3-pointer and Cisse added a tip-in for a 52-40 lead. Pedulla made a jumper before Brown-Jones was ejected for committing a Flagrant 2 foul. Haggerty made both of the technical free throws and Rogers added two 3-pointers to push the lead to 16. Ole Miss got within 11 points four times, but couldn't get any closer until Matthew Murrell's dunk trimmed the lead to 76-67 with five minutes remaining. Rogers answered with a 3-pointer and Dainja added two field goals to increase the lead to 16. Murray made a free throw, but the Rebels didn't make a field goal during the final 5:32. The Tigers scored the first four points of the game and Haggerty had four as they opened a 9-2 lead. The Rebels made consecutive field goals before Memphis scored eight straight points for a 17-6 lead. Eduardo Klafke made a 3-pointer to end the run, but Rogers' 3-pointer helped the Tigers increase the lead to 27-14. Ole Miss scored the next seven points before Cisse's basket ended the run. The Rebels closed within four points four times Brown-Jones made two free throws to trim the lead to 38-36 at halftime. --Field Level MediaRaiders' Antonio Pierce keeps it all the way real while discussing the Derek Carr revenge game that was supposed to happenDOHA, Qatar , Dec. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 25, 2024 , the First JETOUR Fan's Festival and the Launch of T2 i-DM was held in Qatar , themed "Think Future". During the event, JETOUR launched its user brand "Traveler" in the Middle East and its first hybrid model, JETOUR T2 i-DM. The launch event highlights JETOUR's commitment to exploring sustainable travel modes and ambition to become the "The World's Leading Brand in Hybrid Off-road Vehicles" under the "Travel+" strategy. JETOUR T2 i-DM not only inherits the strengths of T2 series, but also achieves high energy efficiency, high performance, high safety, and high intelligence with its advanced hybrid technology, i-DM. With a maximum combined power of 280kW and torque of 610N•m, T2 i-DM boasts a NEDC pure electric range of 139km and an overall range exceeding 1,000km at just 0.8L/100km, addressing range anxiety and promoting green travel. Mr. Dai Lihong, executive vice president of JETOUR Auto, emphasized technology's role in producing world-class products. The launch also introduced "Traveler", enriching user experience through diverse products and superior performance. This year, JETOUR has ranked third in sales across the Qatari auto market. The Fan's Festival invited user representatives from across the Middle East to witness the unveiling of "Traveler", experiencing "Travel+" culture through city tours and co-creation workshops. JETOUR prioritizes users, listening to their needs and co-creating products, brand, and lifestyle. Through "Traveler," JETOUR aims to provide richer travel experiences and benefits globally, leveraging the platform to spread the "Travel+" culture worldwide. Mr. Alex Tan , Vice President of JETOUR International, said, "Serving 'JETOUR users' and being 'a user-oriented JETOUR' are JETOUR's development philosophy. JETOUR will continue to build a travel community centered around users, cars, and lifestyles, sharing the joy of traveling together with users." JETOUR also partnered with Diamond League to promote athletics in Qatar and the Middle East , embodying JETOUR Speed and the brand's image of breakthroughs and innovations. With T2 selling over 150,000 units globally, T2 i-DM will continue its success to meet customers' needs and reshape the hybrid SUV market. The launch of T2 i-DM marks JETOUR's new journey towards "the World's Leading Brand in Hybrid Off-road Vehicles." JETOUR plans to introduce more hybrid and off-road models, providing customers with eco-friendly and diversified travel choices. With its innovative spirit and user-oriented philosophy, JETOUR will lead the global automotive industry towards a more sustainable and smarter future. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-launch-of-jetour-t2-i-dm-reshaping-the-hybrid-suv-market-302339886.html SOURCE JETOUR AUTO

Over the last few years, Greaves Cotton has successfully evolved from being a single-business, single-fuel company to a diversified, fuel-agnostic leader. Vice-Chairman Nagesh Basavanhalli shares his thoughts during an interaction with The Hindu . Edited excerpts: Can you share insights into Greaves Cotton’s evolution The transformation of Greaves Cotton was driven by the imperative to future-proof our 160-year-old legacy amidst seismic shifts in market dynamics and consumer expectations. As early as 2016, we recognised the impending disruption from BS-VI regulations, the shift towards clean energy, and the rise of alternative technologies. Our strategy focused on transitioning from a single-product, single-fuel business to a multi-revenue, multi-business, fuel-agnostic company. This approach allowed us to pursue multiple growth areas simultaneously, combining organic innovation with strategic acquisitions. At the core of our journey are three mantras: 1. B2B + B2C – bringing us closer to consumers. 2. Value chain extraction – maximising lifecycle value through an integrated ecosystem. 3. Fuel agnosticism – addressing diverse consumer needs across electric, CNG, diesel, and hybrid solutions. What are the challenges did the company encounter during this transformation? The transition from legacy single-cylinder diesel engines to a fuel-agnostic, multi-business model required bold decisions and strategic agility. Key challenges included developing entirely new capabilities in mechatronics, and software-driven solutions while reimagining our manufacturing processes to align with cleaner technologies like EVs. This required substantial investments in R&D and a strategic shift toward high-growth sectors such as electric mobility, CNG and adjacent areas such as non-auto businesses, off-highway vehicles and trucks, amongst others. Despite these challenges, the transformation opened up vast opportunities. We diversified our revenue streams, built a digitally connected ecosystem and strengthened consumer trust by delivering accessible, future-ready solutions. Can you elaborate on the Greaves Engineering and Greaves Retail expansion? Greaves Engineering addresses industry needs with fuel-agnostic engines, ePowertrains and application-specific solutions, empowering customers across sectors. Our foray into global markets further strengthened our reach and credibility. Greaves Retail bridges the gap between manufacturers and consumers through a robust network of over 250 distributors, over 20,000 retailers and 25,000 mechanics. Our unique value proposition lies in our 3S model delivering comprehensive support to customers across a range of industries. Can you share some key milestones for Greaves Finance? Key milestones include strategic partnerships with leading OEMs, the introduction of innovative schemes such as buyback options and a streamlined loan approval process that sets new benchmarks in efficiency. By integrating bundled insurance services and leveraging co-lending partnerships, Greaves Finance simplifies the ownership journey, ensuring seamless and affordable access to sustainable mobility for millions. What are the new technology and digital initiatives Greaves has adopted to enhance customer experiences?Greaves is building a comprehensive digital ecosystem that provides an end-to-end solution, encompassing product discovery, financing and lifecycle management. The Greaves1 app, focused on genset servicing, simplifies maintenance and enhances service efficiency. The Greaves Upahar Loyalty App improves accessibility and rewards loyalty among mechanics, fostering stronger engagement. The ev.fin platform revolutionises EV financing. Together, these initiatives lay the foundation for a fully integrated digital marketplace, enhancing customer experiences and delivering value across all touchpoints, positioning Greaves as a leader in innovative and inclusive mobility solutions. How does Greaves Cotton envision its role in the future of engineering and mobility? Our vision is to empower lives by driving sustainable innovation in engineering and mobility. We aim to create a digitally integrated ecosystem that delivers tailored, fuel-agnostic solutions, leveraging advancements in mechatronics, electrification and smart connectivity. With a focus on clean energy and innovation, we are shaping the next generation of mobility technologies that address market needs while promoting sustainability. What are the company’s key priorities over the next five years? Our focus is on building a robust, integrated ecosystem that connects products, services and solutions to enhance customer engagement. By expanding across the value chain and scaling digital conversion, we aim to lead in clean technology adoption, foster innovation and deliver end-to-end experiences. Sustainability, customer proximity and talent investment will remain central to our strategy as we accelerate growth and create long-term value for stakeholders. Q: Published - December 28, 2024 07:38 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp RedditAmanda Abbington rejects huge money offer to appear on popular reality show after Strictly hell

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Altice USA (NYSE:ATUS) Shares Down 3.6% – Should You Sell?Former Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto, left, former US president Donald Trump, centre, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after signing a new free trade agreement in Buenos Aires, on Nov. 30, 2018. MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images Nicolas Lamp is associate professor at the faculty of law at Queen’s University. When it comes to the future of Canada’s trade, Canadian politicians are in survival mode. Monday night, after weeks of speculation on president-elect Donald Trump’s plans for North American trade, he said that he would “ charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products ” until the two countries stop the flow of drugs and migrants to the United States. That came after Canadian leaders had already contorted themselves to salvage the trade relationship. To placate the United States and avert an onslaught of hyper-competitive Chinese imports, Canada took the extraordinary step of imposing WTO-inconsistent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles , steel and aluminum back in October. And last week, Canada’s premiers and some members of the federal government signalled their willingness to turn even further away from Canada’s traditional embrace of open trade by mooting the possibility of excluding Mexico from a future North American trade agreement. It is this move to sideline Mexico that we should be particularly concerned about. Now that Mr. Trump has put forth a plan that could be seen as making Canada suffer for Mexico’s sins, the option may seem even more tempting. However, then and now, to throw Mexico under the bus would be another case of Canada accepting the high costs of sacrificing long-standing objectives of Canadian trade policy – such as deeper integration with a diversified set of like-minded trading partners – for highly uncertain gains. Proposed Trump tariff poses big risk to Canadian industry, consumers All of America’s trading partners are looking at what they can offer the United States in negotiations and are readying retaliation in case those negotiations break down. Canada is the only country that is taking the path of anticipatory obedience: it is offering the Trump administration concessions before the latter has even asked. Canada is sending the message to Mr. Trump that he does not need to bother with the dividing part of his familiar divide-and-rule playbook: we’ll divide ourselves, so he can focus on ruling. In the process, Canada is encouraging its partners – first and foremost Mexico itself – to follow Canada’s lead in looking after their own immediate interests first. The damage to Canada’s reputation as a reliable partner will be lasting. The tragedy of all of this is that it is so unnecessary. It is true that Chinese-made cars have been flooding into Mexico. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and those who support his call to exclude Mexico are concerned that Chinese auto parts could be transshipped through Mexico to the United States and Canada. But there is no evidence that that is happening at the moment, and for good reason: the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) – the successor to NAFTA that Canada and Mexico negotiated with the first Trump administration in 2018 – contains rules of origin that ensure that products that benefit from duty-free treatment actually originate in Mexico. During the CUSMA negotiations, Canada and Mexico worked with the first Trump administration to tighten those rules of origin compared to the original NAFTA and thereby managed to defuse much more radical proposals from the United States. It is unclear why Canadian politicians believe that a similar approach – working with Mexico to convince the United States to manage trade issues through creative rulemaking – could not succeed this time. Even the worry that Chinese producers could establish factories in Mexico and use them to circumvent the rules of origin could be addressed in this way. The CUSMA already sets a precedent for treating Chinese investors in Mexico differently from other investors. The U.S. has signalled an interest in adopting a similar approach of differentiating between companies for purposes of granting them market access. Canada could play a constructive role by advocating for such changes instead of trying to push Mexico out of the agreement. The proposal also ignores the economic harm that Canadian companies would suffer if Mexico was excluded from a future North American trade agreement. Canadian auto parts companies, such as Magna, are heavily invested in Mexico and would risk being cut off from North American supply chains. And losing Mexico as a base for cheap auto parts would further imperil the competitiveness of North American car producers – who are already handicapped compared to their European and East Asian peers by the restrictions on their ability to use inputs and technology from China. Finally, excluding Mexico from “Fortress North America” would deprive the United States and Canada of leverage to convince Mexico to stem Chinese car imports into Mexico and would thereby further diminish the ability of North American car manufacturers to retain market share. During the first Trump administration, the Trudeau government kept a cool head, drove a hard bargain and came out better than most observers had dared to hope. It is dispiriting that, this time around, some Canadian politicians seem to have lost the courage of their convictions before Mr. Trump has even moved into the White House.

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