News from November 17, 2025

Sports

Proposed changes in rules for Arkansas education accounts released for public comment

Proposed rules changes to the Educational Freedom Account program, including a ban on the accounts' use for team sports, are likely to spark several rounds of public comments in the coming days, Arkansas Department of Education officials predict. A Russellville lawmaker who was one of the leading sponsors of the sweeping legislative package that created the accounts program said she and her co-sponsor were also in conversations with the Education Department and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office to ensure account funds that have been allowed for sports-related expenses aren't "unintentionally (tied) up" in efforts to tighten the program. The comment by Republican Sen. Breanne Davis came after the state Board of Education voted Thursday to release the revisions for a 30-day public comment period. Public comment began Saturday and will end Dec. 16, said department spokeswoman Rachel Starks. The department will host public comment hearings Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., while written comments can be sent to ADE.RulesComments@ade.arkansas.gov. In the board's discussion before its vote, several members likewise expressed concerns about the revisions, especially regarding the section on team sports, with one suggesting the head of the Office of School Choice should have warned the board during a work session the previous day "that we're going to be walking into fire." State leaders have been at work for months on the revised rules, which they said are meant to clarify the program's operations and limit the misuse of its funds. The General Assembly had previously set a Dec. 31 target for the rules to go into effect, though multiple comment periods would likely delay achievement of that goal to at least early next year. Arkansas is roughly three months into the traditional school year, the first in which the accounts program opened to all students. A total of 44,204 students are currently participating in the program, a massive increase from its first two years when state law capped participation, according to Starks. FACTS, the firm that manages applications for the program, projected in a Sept. 18 report that the total amount of accounts program funds to be awarded would be roughly $326 million, though education officials have shied away from making a public estimate of the cost themselves. According to department figures, in the 2023-24 school year, the program's first year, 5,548 students participated at a cost of $37.3 million. The following year, 14,256 students participated at a cost of $93.8 million. Definitions, whether new, expanded or clarified, make up many of the proposed changes to the rules. Definitions that were added or modified in the proposed rules include those for extracurricular and co-curricular activities, the intentional and unintentional misuse of funds, ordinary and necessary expenses, qualifying expenses and student growth and development. They would also establish a new application window of Feb. 1 to June 1, with the option to reopen the window if funding is available. Under the proposed rules, the vendor that operates the program's online platform -- currently ClassWallet -- could receive only 2% of funds allocated to each student account for administrative purposes, down from the 5% described in the program's current rules. The proposed changes would also lay out a random audit process for families and providers, as well as an appeals process. In his presentation to the state board during Wednesday's work session, Assistant Commissioner for School Choice and Parent Empowerment Darrell Smith did not explicitly mention that team sports would not be eligible for use of account funds. Team sports are referenced in the proposed revisions defining extracurricular activities. While extracurricular activities would refer to certain "supervised, structured non-academic" activities, the revised rules exclude "team sports or club sports, whether recreational or competitive." They also exclude the following team or club sport components: • Equipment; • Registrational fees; • Travel costs; • Equipment costs; • Dues; and • Other associated costs. Board member Gary Arnold said during Thursday's regular board meeting that, though the rules were not yet formally released for public comment, Arkansans had already raised concerns about the changes to how the program handled team sports. Smith said he believed the section in question was in earlier drafts of the revised rules prior to the enactment of Act 920 of 2025, a bill sponsored by Davis that caps families' use of account funds on extracurricular activities or transportation costs at 25%. "Without the cap, a lot of the money that obviously is there to help educate a child could have been spent on travel teams, elite sports teams, a lot of those types of things," Smith said. He added, "That was the original reason that it was put there." "I think the way that we've crafted it, it might go too far," replied board member Jeff Wood. He added that he had heard from lawmakers regarding the exclusion of team sports and expressed skepticism that this was intended by lawmakers when approving Act 920. Arnold and Wood both chided Smith for not mentioning the exclusion of team sports from account funding in the revised rules during the work session. Arnold said Smith's presentation contained "lots of great information," but athletics was a "volatile" topic that he should have known to bring up when briefing the panel. "Isn't it your job to kind of warn me that we're going to be walking into fire?" Arnold asked. Smith replied that "we didn't try to hide anything," and that the department "had to make some judicious decisions" about what to present at the session. "We could have spent the whole day literally going through the way that this thing was written," he said. Wood urged the board to consider rejecting the department's request to release the proposed revisions for public comment so the department could rewrite the changes. Department officials asked that the board not delay the release any further, though, as it would be unable to formally receive public feedback on the revisions until the board approved the release. Stacy Smith, deputy commissioner of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, said the discussion warranted another work session in which the board members could ask more deliberate questions while still allowing the public comment period to take place. If the comments result in substantive changes to the rules, they are released for an additional 30 days. Once the public comment period ends for a final time, the board must vote on whether to approve the proposed rule. If approved, it will be filed for review by the Arkansas Legislative Council's Administrative Rules and Regulations Subcommittee. "We're anticipating a lot of public comment; we're anticipating some more changes," Stacy Smith said. "I'm not thinking it's going to be a 30-day public comment. Again, it's probably going to be maybe one or two or three rounds." Davis, who did not confirm whether she spoke with Wood, said Friday that she was participating in conversations with department officials and the governor's office, "making sure that we're allowing private school students who take advantage of EFAs, and also homeschool students who take advantage of EFAs, that they're still able to participate in team sports just like we do in public schools." Her goal in those talks is to "ensure we don't drill down so far and prohibit some things that we actually don't mean to prohibit," she said. "I think our main priority is just ensuring that this program is sustainable and it works for students and families," Davis said. Governor's office spokesman Sam Dubke did not directly respond to questions about the proposed revisions, instead repeating a statement he provided in late October about big-ticket purchases from account holders that received the department's approval: "Governor Sanders and her administration have taken several steps to ensure EFA reimbursements are focused on education, including by signing Act 920 ... and recently launching an AI screener in the ClassWallet platform to flag unusual expenses more quickly. As the EFA program enters its third year, the Governor continues to engage the Department of Education, legislators, and stakeholders to refine the program, and the Department of Education has partnered with the Office of Inspector General to review EFA expenses holistically." At least some states with similar account programs allow for the use of account funds for team sports. For instance, such expenses are allowed in Florida. Its Family Empowerment Scholarship authorizes the purchase of sports equipment and uniforms, according to purchasing guides by Florida-based nonprofit Step Up for Students. Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts meanwhile consider purchases for enrollment in sports leagues to be allowable as "supplemental material" that requires corresponding curricula, according to that program's handbook. Account holders in Arizona can also use them to pay for extracurricular programs at public schools, though use of the funds for the purchase of uniforms for such programs is only allowed if they are specifically required by the program. With support from the ADG Community Journalism Project, LEARNS reporter Josh Snyder covers the impact of the law on the K-12 education system across the state, and its effect on teachers, students, parents and communities. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette maintains full editorial control over this article and all other coverage.

Josh Snyder 4 hours ago

Entertainment

Grey's Anatomy star James Pickens Jr. shares health update after cancer diagnosis

Hollywood star James Pickens Jr., best known for his role as Dr Richard Webber on the long-running hit series Grey's Anatomy, has shared some good news: following a prostate cancer diagnosis, he is now cancer-free. In a moving public-service announcement aired at the end of a recent episode of the long-running hit TV show, James took off the actor's hat and spoke directly to viewers: "I'm living proof that early detection works." He then posted a message on his social channels, writing: "Hi Friends, I'm blessed and grateful to be cancer-free. Thanks so much for all the love and support! Get checked!" His journey began in 2024 when a routine check led to elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels; by January his doctor flagged further changes and referred him to a urologist. Subsequent imaging and biopsy revealed a tumour confined to one part of the prostate – a result Pickens described as a "huge gift" given his family history of prostate cancer. "It's not the kind of news anyone wants to hear, but to be honest, prostate cancer has run through my family. My father had it. He had a lot of brothers; several of them had it. I would have been surprised if I hadn't gotten it," James told Black Health Matters. Opting for a robotic radical prostatectomy, James worked with his medical team to act quickly and decisively. "We caught it really early… they wanted to err on the side of caution and keep an eye on it," he said. Crucially, a PET scan confirmed the cancer hadn't spread. The 70-year-old star's openness brings attention to the disproportionate impact prostate cancer has on black men, who face a significantly higher risk of both diagnosis and mortality. James has used his platform to highlight the importance of testing, early intervention and self-advocacy, delivering a message that is resonating across social media and beyond. On-set, James' character Webber is undergoing a cancer diagnosis, making the news feel deeply personal for both actor and audience. The fact that James parallels his on-screen journey with his off-screen health battle adds another layer to his message. Grey's Anatomy is the longest running medical drama in American television history. The beloved show, which is entering its 22nd season, has launched the careers of more than a dozen actors.

Nicola Conville 4 hours ago

Politics

From 'Hoax' To 'Nothing to Hide': Trump Backs Release of Epstein Files After Fierce Party Revolt

Washington: President Donald Trump said House Republicans should vote to release the files in the Jeffrey Epstein case, a startling reversal after previously fighting the proposal as a growing number of those in his own party supported it. “We have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party,” Trump wrote on social media late Sunday after landing at Joint Base Andrews following a weekend in Florida. Trump’s statement followed a fierce fight within the GOP over the files, including an increasingly nasty split with Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had long been one of his fiercest supporters. The president’s shift is an implicit acknowledgement that supporters of the measure have enough votes to pass it the House, although it has an unclear future in the Senate. It is a rare example of Trump backtracking because of opposition within the GOP. In his return to office and in his second term as president, Trump has largely consolidated power in the Republican Party. “I DON’T CARE!” Trump wrote in his social media post. “All I do care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT.” Lawmakers who support the bill have been predicting a big win in the House this week with a “deluge of Republicans” voting for it, bucking the GOP leadership and the president. In his opposition to the proposal, Trump even reached out to two of the Republican lawmakers who signed it. One, Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, met last week with administration officials in the White House Situation Room to discuss it. The bill would force the Justice Department to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in federal prison. Information about Epstein’s victims or ongoing federal investigations would be allowed to be redacted. “There could be 100 or more” votes from Republicans, said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., among the lawmakers discussing the legislation on Sunday news show appearances. “I’m hoping to get a veto-proof majority on this legislation when it comes up for a vote.” Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., introduced a discharge petition in July to force a vote on their bill. That is a rarely successful tool that allows a majority of members to bypass House leadership and force a floor vote. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had panned the discharge petition effort and sent members home early for their August recess when the GOP’s legislative agenda was upended in the clamouring for an Epstein vote. Democrats also contend the seating of Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., was stalled to delay her becoming the 218th member to sign the petition and gain the threshold needed to force a vote. She became the 218th signature moments after taking the oath of office last week. Massie said Johnson, Trump and others who have been critical of his efforts would be “taking a big loss this week.” “I’m not tired of winning yet, but we are winning,” Massie said. The view from GOP leadership Johnson seems to expect the House will decisively back the Epstein bill. “We’ll just get this done and move it on. There’s nothing to hide,” adding that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has been releasing “far more information than the discharge petition, their little gambit.” The vote comes at a time when new documents are raising fresh questions about Epstein and his associates, including a 2019 email that Epstein wrote to a journalist that said Trump “knew about the girls.” The White House has accused Democrats of selectively leaking the emails to smear the Republican president. Johnson said Trump “has nothing to hide from this.” “They’re doing this to go after President Trump on this theory that he has something to do with it. He does not,” Johnson said. Trump’s association with Epstein is well-established and the president’s name was included in records that his own Justice Department released in February as part of an effort to satisfy public interest in information from the sex-trafficking investigation. Trump has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and the mere inclusion of someone’s name in files from the investigation does not imply otherwise. Epstein, who killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial, also had many prominent acquaintances in political and celebrity circles besides Trump. Khanna voiced more modest expectations on the vote count than Massie. Still, Khanna said he was hoping for 40 or more Republicans to join the effort. “I don’t even know how involved Trump was,” Khanna said. “There are a lot of other people involved who have to be held accountable.” Khanna also asked Trump to meet with those who were abused. Some will be at the Capitol on Tuesday for a news conference, he said. Massie said Republican lawmakers who fear losing Trump’s endorsement because of how they vote will have a mark on their record, if they vote “no,” that could hurt their political prospects in the long term. “The record of this vote will last longer than Donald Trump’s presidency,” Massie said. A MAGA split On the Republican side, three Republicans joined with Massie in signing the discharge petition: Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Boebert. Trump publicly called it quits with Greene last week and said he would endorse a challenger against her in 2026 “if the right person runs.” Greene attributed the fallout with Trump as “unfortunately, it has all come down to the Epstein files.” She said the country deserves transparency on the issue and that Trump’s criticism of her is confusing because the women she has talked to say he did nothing wrong. “I have no idea what’s in the files. I can’t even guess. But that is the questions everyone is asking, is, why fight this so hard?” Greene said. Trump’s feud with Greene escalated over the weekend, with Trump sending out one last social media post about her while still sitting in his helicopter on the White House lawn when he arrived home late Sunday, writing “The fact is, nobody cares about this Traitor to our Country!” Even if the bill passes the House, there is no guarantee that Senate Republicans will go along. Massie said he just hopes Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., “will do the right thing.” “The pressure is going to be there if we get a big vote in the House,” Massie said, who thinks “we could have a deluge of Republicans.” Massie appeared on ABC’s “This Week,” Johnson was on “Fox News Sunday,” Khanna spoke on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and Greene was interviewed on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.

Times Now Digital 4 hours ago

World

Gold Rate Today (November 17, 2025): Yellow Metal Remains Stable; Check Prices Across Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai & Other Major Cities

Gold continues to remain a trusted long-term investment for households across India, especially in times of economic uncertainty. Market movements, shaped by global tensions, domestic fluctuations, and geopolitical shifts, play a key role in determining the daily prices of precious metals. On Monday, November 17, the gold price for 24-carat gold stands at Rs. 12,507 per gram, while 22-carat gold is priced at Rs. 11,464 per gram. For those opting for 18-carat gold, the rate is Rs. 9,380 per gram, according to the data from Goodreturns. Prices vary slightly from one city to another, depending on local demand, taxes, and transportation costs. Gold Prices Across Major Cities Across major Indian metros, gold prices show slight but notable variation. In Delhi, 24-carat gold is priced at Rs 12,522 per gram, while 22-carat and 18-carat stand at Rs 11,479 and Rs 9,395, respectively. Mumbai and Kolkata share identical rates, with 24-carat at Rs 12,507, 22-carat at Rs 11,464, and 18-carat at Rs 9,380 per gram. Chennai records marginally higher prices, with 24-carat at Rs 12,599, 22-carat at Rs 11,549, and 18-carat at Rs 9,639. Bangalore tops the chart, where 24-carat gold is Rs 12,863 per gram, followed by Rs 11,791 for 22-carat and Rs 9,648 for 18-carat. Silver Rates Stay Stable Across Most Cities Silver prices have remained broadly consistent, with the rate currently at Rs. 168.90 per gram and Rs. 168,900 per kilogram. Chennai is the only major metro showing a higher price due to regional variations in demand and taxes. Why Prices Differ Across Cities Gold and silver rates shift daily due to several factors, including import duties, local tariffs, inflation, and global market movements. Since precious metal prices are closely tied to international trends, even minor developments can trigger noticeable changes in domestic rates. Investors are advised to track prices regularly, as fluctuations can be frequent and unpredictable, particularly in volatile economic conditions.

Priya Raghuvanshi 4 hours ago

Politics

Death sentence looming over Sheikh Hasina? Son says ex-PM safe in India as violence rocks Bangladesh ahead of verdict

Tensions erupted in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh on Sunday as numerous crude bombs exploded there, including arson attacks, ahead of the verdict in the crimes against humanity trial of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today. Her son and adviser claimed that the court would likely sentence her to death, while stating that his mother is safe in India.“We know exactly what the verdict is going to be. They're televising it. They're going to convict her, and they'll probably sentence her to death. What can they do to my mother? My mother is safe in India. India is giving her full security" and was regarded “like a head of the state”, Reuters quoted Sajeeb Wazed, who resides in Washington, as saying.He added, "We will not allow elections without the Awami League to go ahead. Our protests are going to get stronger and stronger, and we will do whatever it takes. Unless the international community does something, eventually there's probably going to be violence in Bangladesh before these elections ... there's going to be confrontations.”Wazed warned of more protests if party ban stays; however, the government spokesperson stated there were no plans to withdraw the ban on the Awami League. Hasina and her party have criticised the special tribunal as a “kangaroo court” and rejected the state-appointed lawyer representing her, as per AP.'Probably going to be violence in Bangladesh before these elections'“The interim government regards any incitement to violence —especially by exiled political figures — as deeply irresponsible and reprehensible. At present, there is no dialogue space for Awami League as it continues to refuse to express any remorse for crimes against humanity committed under its rule and to accept the accountability process, including under the International Crimes Tribunal,” the spokesperson said.On November 12 alone, 32 blasts were reported, and dozens of buses were set on fire. Police have arrested Awami League activists over alleged sabotage. Wazed mentioned that he and Hasina were in contact with party activists in Bangladesh, but not with the interim government or the rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which is widely expected to form the next government.“You're seeing in the last few days shutdowns across the country, massive protests throughout the country, and they're only going to get bigger,” he said.Hasina has been living in exile in New Delhi since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024. She and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan are facing charges of crimes against humanity related to the deaths of hundreds during a student-led uprising in July and August 2024, a report by AP noted. According to a UN report from February, up to 1,400 people may have been killed, while the country’s interim government health adviser reported over 800 deaths and around 14,000 injuries. Both are being tried in absentia.Meanwhile, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus stated that his interim government plans to hold the next elections in February, and that Hasina’s party would not have the opportunity to participate.

Garvit Bhirani 4 hours ago

Technology

Cold wave grips Delhi-NCR as mercury drops to a low of 9°C — coldest in 3 years; check this week's temperature forecast

Delhi residents woke up to a pleasant chilly morning on Monday, a day after the mercury dropped to a low of 9 degrees Celsius in the national capital, marking the coldest November day in three years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).The temperature almost 4.5 notches below normal set a record after three years as it was on 29 November 29, 2022, when Delhi registered the lowest 7.3 degrees Celsius temperature in this month. In 2024, 29 November was the coldest day of the month which implies that Delhi is reeling with earlier than expected cold wave.IMD predicted shallow fog on Monday and for the coming 5 days. In the period between 17 and 22 November, the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to settle around between 27 and 8 degrees Celsius during this period. The weather agency in its latest press release dated 16 November said, “The minimum temperatures will be below normal ( -1.6 to -3.0) to appreciably below normal ( -3.1 to -5.0 °C) during next 05 days.”It added, “Mainly clear sky Shallow fog at most places & moderate fog at isolated places during morning hours on 17th November 2025. Partly cloudy sky on 18th & 19th November 2025 with shallow to moderate fog during morning hours from 18 to 22 November 2025.”On Sunday, the minimum temperatures were markedly below normal. around 5.1 degrees Celsius at isolated places, while the maximum temperatures were appreciably below normal at isolated places, around 3.1 to -5 degrees Celsius.Impact of cold wave on air pollutionThe air quality remained 'very poor' on Monday with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 360 at 6:00 AM. According to CPCB's Sameer app, a total of 6 air quality monitoring stations recorded AQI in ‘severe’ category with Bawana recording the worst air quality. With readings below 301 and above 200, NSIT Dwarka, Lodhi Road and Dilshad Garden monitoring stations recorded best air quality, falling in ‘poor’ range.Tiny airborne particles such as PM2.5 and PM10 are the dominant pollutants suspended in the air which are trapped close to the surface due to unfavourable weather conditions, low wind speed and temperature.As per ANI report, a plan in in the pipeline to install dust sensors along key stretches of Delhi and the adjoining NCR region. CAQM has decided to monitor the suspended particles in the air as it is one of the top contributors to the capital's particulate pollution load.Delhi temperature todayOn 17 November, the minimum temperature is expected to settle anywhere between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 24 and 26 degrees Celsius.

Fareha Naaz 4 hours ago

World

Trump 'Okay' With 500% Tariff On Russia's Trading Partners - Is India On The List?

United States President Donald Trump said that he is "okay" with the legislation proposing sanctions against countries trading with Russia. Trump said that the Republicans are working on legislation that will impose sanctions on any country doing business with Moscow, saying that Iran may get added to the list. When asked whether it was time for Congress to pass measures aimed at pressuring Russia and President Vladimir Putin, Trump said, “I hear they're doing that, and that’s okay with me.” "They're passing legislation... the Republicans are putting in legislation... very tough sanctioning... on any country doing business with Russia. They may add Iran to that... I suggested it,” the US President told reporters. “So any country that does business with Russia will be very severely sanctioned. We may add Iran to the formula,” Trump reiterated. According to a Bloomberg report, the US is planning a bill that would impose a 500 per cent tax on imports from countries buying Russian energy. This specifically targets major consumers of Russian energy, such as China and India, the report said. A bill introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham has proposed a 500 per cent tariff on secondary purchase and reselling of Russian oil. The proposal has near-unanimous backing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal have jointly introduced the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, which seeks to impose secondary tariffs and sanctions on “countries that continue to fund Putin’s barbaric war in Ukraine". The proposed legislation has 85 cosponsors in the Senate. The US has already imposed sanctions on India over New Delhi's Russian oil trade. In August 2025, the Trump administration had imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on India, taking the total to 50 per cent, over Russian oil imports. While Washington had accused India of funding the Russian oil machinery, New Delhi had rejected the claims. India's Spend on Russian Oil Buy at 2.5 Bn Euro in October India, the second-biggest buyer of Russian oil, spent as much as 2.5 billion euro on purchases of crude oil from Moscow in October, ahead of new sanctions being slapped on Russian entities, a European think tank has said. India's spending in October was unchanged from the 2.5 billion euro spent on buying Russian oil in September. India remained the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in October behind China, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). On October 22, the US imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, two of the largest oil producers in Russia, to cut off the Kremlin's resources for funding the Ukraine war. The sanctions have resulted in companies like Reliance Industries, HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd halting imports for now. Russia shipped 60 million barrels of crude oil in October, with Rosneft and Lukoil together accounting for 45 million barrels.

Apoorva Shukla 4 hours ago

Politics

Ramaphosa will serve full term: ANC

The ANC is adamant that its leadership, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, will complete its term in 2027. This follows speculation of attempts to oust Ramaphosa after the G20 Leaders Summit. A letter is reported to be circulating among senior ANC members in the Eastern Cape, calling for the removal of the party’s president. It also says the NEC should be disbanded and replaced with a national task team, which former party president Thabo Mbeki should lead. Ramaphosa’s closing remarks to the ANC NEC meeting on Sunday were closed to the media, fuelling speculation that he wanted to address the matter candidly. Acting ANC spokesperson Nonceba Mhlauli says, “As far as we are concerned, there is no departure lounge in the NEC. This NEC, with its president, was elected in December 2022 and our term ends in December 2027 and our term will end with President Cyril Ramaphosa as the president of the ANC, where he will then be handing over.” Mhlauli adds, “There is no departure lounge, President Ramaphosa is the president of the ANC and his term ends in 2027 in the ANC and whatever other rumours we cannot speak for or verify for any other reason.” Related Video | Give me a date on which I should resign: Ramaphosa dares detractors.

Ntebo Mokobo 4 hours ago

Business

Refinancing loan offered for Little Rock’s Madison Heights apartment complex

Southern Bancorp has formally offered to loan up to $5.1 million to end a foreclosure lawsuit against the Madison Heights apartment complex that has bedeviled the Little Rock housing authority. Nadine Jarmon, the housing authority's executive director, circulated Southern Bancorp's commitment letter to board members of the housing authority as well as its nonprofit affiliate, the Central Arkansas Housing Corporation, on Thursday evening via email. She noted the favorable elements of the proposal, including the 6.5% interest rate offered by Southern Bancorp, which is lower than the 9% interest rate on the existing debt. Additionally, Southern Bancorp was able to get the current lender to reduce the amount owed to $4.6 million, Jarmon wrote. The plaintiff in the foreclosure lawsuit was seeking more than $5 million as of February. In addition to the $4.6 million needed to pay off the current lender, Southern Bancorp has agreed to loan up to $500,000 to support making capital improvements to the property. To finance those improvements, capital reserves of $250,000 from Madison Heights will be used first, at which point Southern Bancorp will extend the $500,000, according to the letter. The housing authority then is expected to receive an additional $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to finish renovations to vacant units, the letter says. The offer is due to expire 10 days after Nov. 13, the date the letter was issued. Jarmon told officials in her email that the 10-day period will allow the boards of the housing authority and the Central Arkansas Housing Corporation to discuss the proposal at their upcoming meetings. The proposed loan term is 36 months, with up to two 12-month extensions available at the lender's discretion, with each subject to a fee of 25 basis points. Repayment will be interest-only during the first 24 months. A balloon payment will be due at maturity. The property must be managed by a third party approved by the lender, the letter states. The Madison Heights apartment complex is a three-phase development near Fair Park Boulevard and West 12th Street that contains a mix of market-rate units along with federally assisted affordable-housing units. The foreclosure lawsuit was filed in April 2024 and targeted two of the three components of the complex that are known as Madison Heights I and II, which have a combined total of 241 units. The third component has 60 units. The original lender was Walker & Dunlop, which extended two loans with the original principal amounts of $3 million and $2.6 million in 2019 to two limited partnerships, University Heights Associates, LP and Madison Heights II, LP. The current lender and plaintiff in the foreclosure lawsuit is Delaware-based BP CM Acquisition SPV, LLC. Housing authority officials have been trying to find a solution to the foreclosure case for most of this year. The effort has taken place under the housing authority's reconstituted board as well as Jarmon, who was hired last year to head up the agency for the second time. At one point, the housing authority approached officials at the city of Little Rock for financial assistance. Despite the support of Mayor Frank Scott Jr., a deal never made it through the Little Rock Board of Directors. In June, a motion to list Madison Heights I and II for sale failed when the housing authority's board deadlocked, 2-2, with one commissioner absent. Less than two months later, Southern Bancorp extended a tentative proposal for up to $6 million in new financing, working with the Enterprise Community Loan Fund as an anticipated partner lender.

Joseph Flaherty 4 hours ago

Sports

Premiership winner inks NRL extension

There were fears the former premiership winner at the Roosters could be lost to rugby league after an underwhelming stint at Catalans and a failed medical that blocked a potential move to the Bulldogs. But Taukeiaho, 33, made the most of his Manly lifeline in 2025 and had to carry the forward pack that dealt with long-term injuries to Taniela Paseka (Achilles) and Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder). “Siua was tremendous for the team in his first year back in the NRL,” Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold said. “Effort after effort and just so consistent with his performances. “We had a lot of injuries to our middles last season, so Siua’s contribution to the team became even more important. “He’s one of our leaders who shows the way week in, week out.” Taukeiaho is at the back end of his career but will provide much-needed leadership and experience to a team that will be without Daly Cherry-Evans and middle forwards Toff Sipley and Josh Aloiai next season. They have signed Kobe Hetherington from the Broncos and will get Davvy Moale in 2027, although there are reports the club could try to bring him over earlier. “I’m really happy to have signed on at Manly for another year,” Taukeiaho said. “It’s a terrific a group we’ve got here, both players and staff, and I think the future looks bright. “I’ve enjoyed the break, my body feels good, so pre-season here we come.”

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Health

Aldergrove family uplifted after father’s cancer diagnosis

Two months ago, Ryan Olson was spending his days off exactly the way he loved—on a mountain trail with his two kids, discovering new paths. But the 46-year-old Aldergrove father of two began feeling unusually tired, and when night sweats started, he knew something wasn’t right. After routine blood work, he received a call instructing him to go to the hospital immediately. At Abbotsford Regional Hospital, doctors confirmed he had leukemia, and it had already spread to his brain. Within hours, he was transferred by ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital, where treatment began the same day. Since then, life for the family has shifted entirely. To ease the growing financial pressure, Ryan’s sister Ashley Olson created a GoFundMe page. She said she didn’t have fundraising experience but knew the family needed help. “I just kind of heard of it and I started it,” she said. “It’s been really good, so far.” Ashley said that with Ryan now on short-term disability and preparing to switch to long-term disability — which she said will likely reduce their income — the donations are helping them cover their mortgage, groceries, child care, and other daily costs. “He’s really stressed about it,” Ashley said. “He knows he’s not going to be able to work for quite some time. Most likely he won’t be able to return to the job he’s had since he was right out of high school.” Ryan has spent the last couple of weeks moving between chemotherapy and weekly lumbar punctures as he prepares for a stem-cell transplant. His wife, Kelli, continues to work as an educational assistant in Langley while caring for their children, ages five and 10. She visits Ryan in the hospital whenever she can, while Ryan’s father has stepped in to help with appointments. For Ashley, the fundraiser is about giving her big brother space to focus on something other than bills. “I was just hoping to relieve some stress for him,” she said. Ashley said the family is grateful for the support they’ve received so far. “He’s a little bit overwhelmed by it,” actually, Ashley explained. “There are so many people donating and he doesn’t even know who some of them are. People who heard through friends or the community. He’s overwhelmed in a good way.” Ashley describes Ryan as someone who has always gravitated toward the outdoors and comes alive on a trail or a mountain side. She said they share a bond built on their love of the outdoors and cars. “He’s just a really good person,” his sister said. “I do see a lot of strength in him. His oncologist has been really hopeful. She thinks he’s going to beat this.” The hardest part, Ashley said, is seeing how the diagnosis impacts the kids. For those who can’t donate, she said sharing information about the fundraiser helps just as much. Right now, the family is taking things day by day, said Ashley. “Your kindness gives Ryan strength and reminds him he’s not fighting alone,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page. People interested in donating can search “Help for Ryan: A Father’s Fight Against Leukemia” or at gofundme.com/f/help-for-ryan-a-fathers-fight-against-leukemia.

Saman Dara 4 hours ago

Technology

Wool marketing stuck in 1995, industry warned

The wool sector is "marketing wool as it was 1995", according to comments written in the latest WoolProducers annual report. In his president's report, Steve Harrison wrote of the turbulent year wool had experienced, and made reference to the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress held in Lille, France this year. "There were pointed comments regarding the lack of certified wool compared to other countries, thus our wool wasn't the first option of purpose by China, and also that we are marketing wool as if it were 1995," he wrote. Reports that delegates at the IWTO Congress heard of a growing preference for South African wool from some Chinese buyers for reasons to do with certification schemes have already caused significant industry debate this year. Elaborating on his comments to ACM Agri, Mr Harrison said the need for wool marketing to modernise was highlighted in a Young Professionals presentation, which called for the industry to do more social media marketing on platforms such as TikTok. "There's a raft of platforms in China where the potential reach is 78 million people," he said. "In Australia, it could be four to six million for instance. "That was a real eye-opener for myself and others in the room, that we were marketing wool as if it was 1995. "It wasn't a direct shot at Australian Wool Innovation, but just at wool globally." Mr Harrison said he believed having more young people in wool marketing would be beneficial to tap into a younger consumer base. Wool Industries Australia chair David Michell, who was also present at the IWTO Congress, said selling evolves from generation to generation and wool was evolving too. "You can't stay and do what you always do, otherwise you get bypassed," he said. "There are many ways to sell, you can sell direct to the brands but if you're going to do that you have to be tech savvy, you have to be young, you have to be focused and it's more product-focused than fibre-focused. "The challenge with China as a major buyer is they are less brand-focused today, but that will change because they will be forced to. "My company, Michell, we talk direct to the brands and pull the fibre through, rather than try to push it through a spinning, weaving traditional way of doing it." Mr Michell said the Young Professionals presentation came as a "bolt from the blue from a young generation, saying 'hey, guys, you've got to get with it'". "I can't quite see how you would sell wool on TikTok, but maybe it's possible," he said. "It's just stretching the mind, that's all. "Is it an industry focus topic today? "Well, not really. Will it be? Probably, we have to work out how we sell things smarter." AWI's marketing arm Woolmark is already using social media platforms including TikTok to appeal to younger consumers, creating videos that have wracked up hundreds of thousands of views. A video associated with the Wear Wool Not Waste campaign of 2024 has been viewed 3.6 million times on TikTok.

Victoria Nugent 4 hours ago

Sports

Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers Gets Huge Injury Update

In a dramatic turn during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, star quarterback Aaron Rodgers absorbed a punishing hit that sidelined him for the rest of the game. The incident unfolded in the second quarter when Rodgers, scrambling under pressure, was brought down awkwardly by a group of Bengals defenders, landing heavily on his left wrist. Rodgers promptly retreated to the team’s blue medical tent for evaluation, where he was initially listed as questionable to re-enter the fray. However, it soon became clear that his day was over, paving the way for backup Mason Rudolph to step in and helm the offense. Post-game assessments brought a mix of relief and concern for the Steelers’ signal-caller. Preliminary imaging revealed a minor break in the wrist—a setback, to be sure—but medical sources suggest the damage won’t derail his season. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, “Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers will undergo more tests Monday on his left wrist, but the initial belief is it’s nothing long term, sources tell me and @RapSheet. X-rays at the stadium showed a small fracture. They won’t know more until further scans.” Further diagnostics are slated for Monday, which should clarify the extent of the hairline crack and guide Rodgers’ recovery plan. Given the characterization as a slight fracture, experts anticipate he might manage it with protective gear, like a supportive brace, allowing him to stay on the field without extended downtime. Of course, that’s all conjecture at this stage; the final word will come from the team’s physicians and athletic trainers, who hold the key to Rodgers’ immediate future with the Steelers. Even without their franchise quarterback for the latter stages of the game, Pittsburgh dominated proceedings, securing a convincing 34-12 victory over Cincinnati. The real challenge lies ahead, though, with a gauntlet of opponents on the horizon: the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, and divisional rival Baltimore Ravens. Clinging to just a single-game advantage atop the AFC North standings, the Steelers can’t afford any prolonged absence from Rodgers. Rudolph, filling in admirably, completed passes for 127 yards and a score in limited action, signaling he could hold the fort if needed for a game or two. As additional evaluations unfold, the outlook remains cautiously optimistic—Rodgers dodged what could have been a campaign-altering blow. While any break demands respect, the early indications point to a brief interlude rather than a major hurdle for the veteran passer and his squad.

Jake Rogers,Viral Sports News 4 hours ago

World

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,362  - Bahamas Spectator – Bahamas & Caribbean News,

Russia said its forces had moved forward sharply in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhia region, taking the settlements of Rivnopillya and Mala Tokmachka as part of a major push aimed at taking control of the entire region. Currently, Russia says it controls 75 percent of the area. Ukrainian forces have struck the Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region, Kyiv’s General Staff said. It said it had recorded explosions and a fire at the site of the strike, but was still assessing the extent of damage. Ukrainian officials said on Sunday morning that Russian attacks on the country had killed at least four civilians and wounded 17 others over the last 24 hours. The Russian TASS news agency reported that Ukrainian attacks on Russia wounded two civilians in the Belgorod region. TASS added that Russia’s air defences destroyed more than 50 Ukrainian drones on Sunday evening. Earlier on Sunday, it said Russian air defences intercepted two Neptune guided missiles, four HIMARS rockets and 197 drones.

Cb_usr 4 hours ago

Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT And Gemini Are Bending Truth To Keep You Happy, Here's What The Latest Research Says

It is not hidden from anyone that Gemini, ChatGPT, and other similar AI models are in the habit of pleasing the user, until and unless you ask them to talk straight. But the latest research on these models tells a very different story, which is a little more concerning. According to new research conducted by Princeton and UC Berkeley researchers, the alignment techniques used by AI companies could be making the models heavily deceptive. These researchers analysed more than 100 AI chatbots from Google, Meta, Anthropic, and OpenAI. The crux is that when these models are trained using reinforcement techniques from human feedback, then they start producing content that sounds confident and friendly but is far away from the actual truth. The research paper says, 'Neither hallucination nor sycophancy fully capture the broad range of systematic untruthful behaviors commonly exhibited by LLMs… For instance, outputs employing partial truths or ambiguous language, such as the paltering and weasel word examples, represent neither hallucination nor sycophancy but closely align with the concept of bullshit.' All You Need To Know About Machine Bullshit And Why AI Models Lie? It all starts with the training of these AI models. And the most prominent training elements are Pretraining, instruction fine-tuning, and reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF). Starting with Pretraining, here AI models learns basic language patterns by analysing a large amount of text from books, research papers, and the internet. Instructions fine-tuning comprises AI being taught to behave like an assistant while answering particular queries from the user. In RLHF, humans rate different AI responses, and the model learns to prefer the ones people like the most. Also Read: Elon Musk vs Apple, OpenAI: US Court Gives Green Signal To Antitrust Case, Here’s What Happened Now, due to RLHF, instead of becoming helpful, AI models are working on satisfying the users. This pattern has been dubbed 'machine bullshit' by the researchers. They also developed a Bullshit Index to measure how heavily an AI model moulds its statements to align with the belief of the users. And this could cause a major issue for the people who use it in serious fields like politics, finance, and healthcare. Get Latest News live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Technology Science and around the world.

Nishit Singh Raghuwanshi 4 hours ago

Sports

Magical season for Bears may include avoiding biggest adversary

How far has the "ownership" of the Bears mentality gone for Rodgers? He sent a message to Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who took over for him in Green Bay, congratulating him on "keeping the ownership in place" after Love and the Packers won in Chicago to open the 2023 season. However, this appears to be a different Bears team than the one that has been under Rodgers' control for years. After escaping with a 19-17 win in Minnesota on Sunday thanks to a game-winning field goal by Cairos Santos, the Bears enter Sunday's game against Pittsburgh with a 7-3 record. Five of those seven wins this season have come thanks to late fourth-quarter rallies, including in each of their last three games. The Bears are showing this is a different team under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, and it could be a team that could finally break free of the spell that Rodgers has cast over the franchise for years. That, however, may not happen now with Rodgers' wrist injury. And, if Rodgers doesn't play on Sunday, it's unclear when the Bears might get their next shot at the quarterback who turns 42 on Dec. 2. Of all of the tests the Bears have passed so far this season, another important milestone (at least psychologically) would have been for Chicago to down Pittsburgh with Rodgers under center and pin a loss on one of their greatest adversaries. Now, the Bears will focus on what they need to do if Rudolph is the one taking snaps as they look to continue to show there's a new attitude and confidence in the Windy City.

Kevin Henry,Yardbarker 4 hours ago

Sports

Bears flip the script after nearly repeating Week 1 collapse

On Sunday, the Week 11 matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings was almost a repeat of the Bears collapse in Week 1, but Ben Johnson's Bears are finally coming into their own. The Bears continue to show grit and improvement Chicago won, 19-17, on a walk-off 48-yard field goal from kicker Cairo Santos. For the majority of the game, the Bears had the lead over the Vikings, but could never land the final punch. In their first matchup this season, that was ultimately the Bears downfall. In both games, Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy had a forgettable first three quarters — on Sunday, he had two interceptions and under a hundred yards passing in the first half — but came through in the fourth quarter. After McCarthy hit wide receiver Jordan Addison for a 15-yard touchdown pass to take the 17-16 lead, it seemed like a Week 1 rerun was on the broadcast, but unlike their last meeting, the Bears didn't fold. A quality that has become evident as the team has grown comfortable with Johnson's leadership. And, more importantly, they're playing better complementary football and not waiting for one player to bail them out. To set up the Bears game-winning drive, wide receiver Devin Duvernay returned the ensuing kickoff for 56 yards to the Minnesota 40-yard line with 50 seconds left in regulation. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams didn't have to play heroics and handed the ball off to running back D'Andre Swift three times for nine yards to set up the game-winning field goal.

Conor Killmurray,Yardbarker 4 hours ago

Health

Kidney Breakthrough: Scientists Find a Simple Way to Reverse Damage

The kidney is among the hardest-working organs and does not create too much fuss or chaos. However, even while silently doing their job of filtering waste and producing hormones, kidneys sometimes do not get proper care and are damaged. While you may not have too many early visible signs of damage, doctors say most issues are diagnosed when it is too late to treat. However, now there will soon be a way to reverse that damage. ,In a landmark study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, scientists from the University of Utah Health said they could fully reverse acute kidney injury, or AKI in mice by blocking harmful ceramide molecules. ,According to the research, ceramides - naturally occurring waxy lipids that are a critical component of the skin's outer layer- make up about 40 to 50 per cent of it. They act like a "glue" or "mortar" that holds skin cells together, forming a protective barrier that prevents moisture from escaping and keeps environmental stressors out. Ceramides damage the mitochondria of kidney cells, triggering the rapid onset of kidney injury. Acute kidney injury is a dangerous condition often caused by severe stress on the body, such as sepsis or major surgery, and is common in intensive care units. What makes AKI especially alarming is that it can increase the risk of long-term, chronic kidney disease, for which there are very limited treatment options. ,According to the study, scientists found that when they genetically altered ceramide production, the genetically modified “super mice” did not develop AKI, even under extreme conditions that normally damage the kidneys. The team, led by Dr Scott Summers, also tested a drug candidate that mimics this genetic effect. ,Scientists observed that mice pre-treated with the drug maintained normal kidney function, stayed active, and showed healthy kidneys. Under closer examination, the team discovered how ceramides wreak havoc – impairing the mitochondria in kidney cells. Damaged mitochondria then become shapeless and lose efficiency, reducing cellular energy production, which causes an injury. But when ceramide levels were reduced, the mitochondria remained intact and worked properly, even under stress. ,,Future of the drug , While the research promises a possible total reversal of kidney damage in the future, experts believe that it is not necessary that the results of trials conducted in mice will always translate to humans. The drug, developed by US-based Centaurus Therapeutics, is still preclinical, meaning it has not yet been tested in human trials, due to safety concerns. According to Dr Summers, even if lowering ceramides works in humans, the long-term effects, drug metabolism, and side effects need careful evaluation. Also, in the study, the drug was administered to the mice before injury, and so, it is not yet clear whether the same approach would work if administered after kidney damage has already started in a clinical setting. ,For humans, Dr Summer says his team believes that if the trial succeeds, the mitochondrial health may not only help treat kidney injury but could also be beneficial in other diseases where mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role, like diabetes, heart failure, or fatty liver disease. ,,What is AKI? , Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden and potentially reversible condition where the kidneys suddenly lose their ability to filter waste from the blood, usually within a few hours or days. This causes waste products to build up in the blood, leading to an imbalance in the blood's chemical makeup. Unlike chronic kidney disease, AKI is a sudden-onset condition, though it can occur in people who are already hospitalized.

Ashima Sharda Mahindra 4 hours ago

Sports

Sixers teen wants to stay a two-sport sensation

Sydney Sixers teen sensation Caoimie Bray wants to play elite cricket and soccer for as long as possible, still pinching herself she is following Ellyse Perry's path. Bray, 16, captured headlines again on Saturday night when she became the youngest player to take a hat-trick in any of the main women's T20 leagues. Still on modified training in cricket given her age, Bray remains in junior Matildas camps and has played as a goalkeeper in the national U17 side. Injury restricted her involvement with soccer last winter, while Bray has prioritised the WBBL over the A-League Women competition after signing a three-year deal with the Sixers. The NSW product has conceded she will likely need to choose a sport at some point, but believes there is no need to make a decision imminently. "I have to commit myself to the cricket for the summer part of the season. And when winter comes around, that's when soccer comes back," Bray said. "So many people are asking the question will you still be playing soccer or still be playing cricket. People have their own opinions, like 'go into cricket, surely'. "But so much can change. I have the three years signed with the Sixers and so much can change over that period. "If you don't know the future, neither do I. I don't know what it will be like in a few years. But I am going to try and stick to (doing both) as much as I can." Bray's situation is eerily similar to Perry's, who famously played in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup for Australia while also playing international cricket. The teenager said she was still pinching herself to be sharing a field with the allrounder, and doing her best not to bug the 35-year-old too much. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Bray is that her rise has come on largely modified programs. The seamer only did two days a week at NSW training in the pre-season, rather than four, and is still kept from bowling 10 overs in a 50-over game. "There were things during the Breakers pre-season I didn't do compared to others, just because of my age," Bray said. "It was just like there is no point for you to do it. They said: 'you are changing so much in terms of height and body'. "You don't want to overwork too much because that is when you break down. They are trying to look out for that."

Scott Bailey,Scott Baileyaapmo 4 hours ago

Health

Mother of 15yo crash victim faces man who left him 'laying on the road'

The mother of a 15-year-old boy killed in a crash on Adelaide Avenue last year has told the ACT Supreme Court the incident changed her life forever. Jaydon Chauveau, 22, pleaded guilty to being the getaway driver for the others in the car. He faced court for a sentencing hearing today, after pleading guilty to charges which include being an accessory after culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm, arson and driving a stolen car. Chauveau picked up the others from the car, helping them to flee. That included the 15-year-old who was alleged to be driving the crashed car. The victim was left lying on the road and was rushed to the hospital, but later died. Chauveau, who had been driving a stolen car ahead of the crashed car, did not see the accident, but went back to pick up those who survived. He drove away, later dropping off his passengers before torching the car. 'He will be 15 forever' Today, the victim's mother described her shock when she got to the hospital, where she met three doctors. "They spoke a lot of medical terms I could not understand," the woman said. "They said the machines were breathing for him, and he was dead." The boy's mother told the court she mourned all that he had lost by dying so young. "He will be 15 forever," she said. And she addressed Chauveau directly, telling him: "I know if it was his friend laying on the road, I know he would have waited," she said. A moral wrong Chauveau's lawyer Stephen Robinson told the court, while he admitted the arson and driving a stolen car, his offence after the accident was more of a moral wrong. "He did not see the crash," Mr Robinson said. "He did not see [the victim] on the ground. He was told he was there. "So he did know," Acting Justice Patricia Kelly said. "He's not criminally liable for the offence, he is criminally liable for leaving with the [alleged] principal offender," Mr Robinson said. The prosecutor told the court it was a stressful situation, but it was clear this was a case involving "a history of a person who has a very cavalier approach to driving cars that are not his". The court heard Chauveau was told the victim was on the road and "a choice was made at that point to leave the scene". The court heard Chauveau had been driving around Canberra for more than four hours, and cameras had picked up his speed at 120km/h around the time the other car crashed. Acting Justice Kelly noted Chauveau's "appalling" criminal history, saying it was very sad. Chauveau will be sentenced at a later time. The alleged 15-year-old driver is yet to be tried. A second person who was in the crashed car, 21-year-old Jack Summerrell-Jenkins, has already been jailed for his part in the crime.

Elizabeth Byrne 5 hours ago