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casino slot apk Insurer Direct Line rejects Aviva's $4.16 billion takeover bidThe S&P 500 is having another tremendous year, rising by 27% as of Monday's close. In five years, the broad index has nearly doubled in value. While that's impressive, it also raises the question of whether the stock market is too hot to invest in right now. The concern many investors may have is whether the market is due for a slowdown, or worse: that a bear market may be around the corner. For growth investors, rather than picking stocks individually, a safer approach nowadays may be to invest in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that is less vulnerable to a single investment and can still generate solid returns in the long run. These types of investments can help you reduce your risk while staying invested in the market. A couple of top Vanguard ETFs that can be highly attractive to growth investors are the Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF ( VUG 0.68% ) and the Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund ETF ( VOT 0.74% ) . Here's a look at why these can be ideal investments to buy and forget about. Vanguard Growth Index Fund What's attractive about the Vanguard Growth Index ETF is that it has positions in large U.S. stocks and is suitable for buy-and-hold investors since it has a low expense ratio of just 0.04 %. As of the end of October, the ETF contained 182 stocks with a heavy exposure to tech, which accounts for 58% of its total weight. Apple , Nvidia , and Microsoft are the fund's top holdings, giving investors a position in the leading growth stocks in the world. And those stocks have helped it outperform the S&P 500 over the past five years, with the fund more than doubling in value during that stretch. ^SPX data by YCharts. While those stocks aren't cheap holdings these days, investing in top tech companies can still be a good way to position yourself for strong returns in the long run. And by having a diverse investment such as the Vanguard Growth Index ETF, you're not overly dependent on any single stock as you might be if you were picking individual companies to add to your portfolio. Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund ETF For investors craving a bit more upside, Vanguard's Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund may be an enticing option. As the name suggests, it focuses on mid-cap stocks, which can have significant potential in the long run given their more modest valuations. These can sometimes be risky investments. However, the advantage with an ETF is that not only is the stock-picking done for you, but the risk is also not as significant given the fund's diversification. The fund contains 140 stocks, and the median market cap is just under $38 billion. It isn't heavily skewed to one sector; tech stocks make up 23% of its holdings, followed by industrials at 22%, consumer discretionary at 14%, and healthcare at 12% -- the only sectors that account for more than 10%. The largest holding in the fund is Palantir Technologies , but at around 2.3%, its percentage of the ETF's total weight isn't significant enough to have a drastic impact on how the fund does. There's some solid diversification here, making the ETF a more balanced option than other funds. And its expense ratio of 0.07% is also fairly low. ^SPX data by YCharts. The fund has underperformed the market in recent years, but that doesn't mean the trend will continue. As tech stocks become overvalued, it may only be a matter of time before growth investors target stocks with more upside, like many of the mid-cap stocks within this fund.

Alex Ovechkin expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with a broken left legPep Guardiola claims three-quarters of the Premier League want to see Manchester City relegated over financial irregularities. But the City boss has vowed to stay on and lift the club back to the top even if they are sent all the way down to the National League. Guardiola ended speculation over his immediate future this week by extending his contract, which had been due to expire at the end of the season, through to the summer of 2027. That has given the club some stability at a time of great uncertainty as they fight 115 charges related to alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations. City have denied all wrongdoing but their punishment if found guilty could be severe, with demotion even a possibility. Guardiola has strongly defended the club in the past and is happy to continue doing so. The Spaniard said: “I don’t enjoy it, I prefer not to be in that position, but once it’s there I love it because, when you believe in your club, and the people there – I believe what they say to me and the reasons why. “I cannot say yet because we’re awaiting the sentence in February or March – I don’t know when – but at the same time, I like it. “I read something about the situation and how you need to be relegated immediately. Seventy-five per cent of the clubs want it, because I know what they do behind the scenes and this sort of stuff. “I said when all the clubs accused us of doing something wrong, (and people asked) what happens if we are relegated, (I said) I will be here. “Next year, I don’t know the position of the Conference they are going to (put) us, (but) we are going to come up and come up and come back to the Premier League. I knew it then and I feel it now.” The immediate priority for Guardiola, who said his contract negotiations were completed in “just two hours”, is to arrest a run of four successive defeats in all competitions. Yet, ahead of their return to action against Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, the champions continue to grapple with a lengthy injury list. Mateo Kovacic is their latest casualty after sustaining a knock on international duty that could keep him out for up to a month. On the positive side, defenders Nathan Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji could feature and Jack Grealish is also closing in on a return after a month out. Much to Guardiola’s frustration, Grealish was called up by England for their recent Nations League games, although he later withdrew. Guardiola said: “I want the best for Jack and I want the best for Jack with the national team but the doctor said to me that he was not ready to play. “I know (England) want him but they have 200 players to select from and Jack was not fit. He had to recover from many things.” Kyle Walker played for England against both Greece and the Republic of Ireland despite limited game time since suffering injury in the October international break. Guardiola said: “If he is fit I like him to play in the national team. It is not a problem, don’t misunderstand me. “Kyle has a dream to make 100 caps for the national team. Do I want to cancel this dream? Absolutely not. “But if you are not fit, if you cannot play here, you cannot play for the national team. It is quite obvious.”The warnings are increasing. Infectious disease researchers, virologists, veterinarians, and occupational health specialists around the world are sounding alarms. The stories of wild birds, mammals, poultry, cattle, and other farm animals with "bird flu" (H5N1) keep coming. The real infection numbers are greater than official reports, but no one knows by how much. Meanwhile, decision-makers and other authorities seem intent on repeating the same mistakes made with COVID-19 and SARS. Now, it has spread to people. Stories of dairy and poultry workers in the U.S., with largely "mild" infections so far, seemed distant — until news broke about a case in Canada. In early November, a B.C. teen made international news fighting for their life with a mutated version of the virus. They're still in intensive care, unable to contribute information about a possible source of their infection. At her Nov. 26 update , B.C.'s public health officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry tried to reassure the public with news that an “extensive public health investigation” revealed no known source. The only possibility found before closing the investigation was two dead geese infected with a virus version that may be related to the sick teen’s. While not having to deal with a specific source might make life easier for public health leaders, it’s not at all clear how that’s good news for the rest of us. It’s a lot harder to protect yourself when you don’t know where the infections are coming from. Why worry? In B.C., the perfect storm is brewing. The wild bird migratory season is happening along the Pacific flyway. With them — like the geese that may be behind the teen's infection — comes H5N1. In the Fraser Valley, so far, 64 operations have had poultry flocks infected with H5N1 since October, and scientists have found an “unprecedented amount of environmental contamination” of area wetlands with avian flu — where it may survive for months . Worse, the mutations found in the virus that infected the teenager show it’s adapting to humans and is more likely to affect the lungs - possibly explaining why the teen became so sick. This all is happening in the midst of respiratory viral season — on top of COVID-19 that just won’t go away, no matter how determined we are to ignore it. Sluggish and opaque responses to H5N1 outbreaks in the US are provoking international concern. The highly-respected American virologist David O’Connor says, “It seems that the United States is addicted to gambling with H5N1. But if you gamble long enough, the virus may hit a jackpot.” "A jackpot for the virus would fuel a pandemic", Tulio de Oliveira, South Africa’s director of the Center for Epidemic Response and Innovation, wrote in the New York Times , despairing at the lack of timely and complete sharing of information about the virus' evolution. His warning provides a frustrating echo of the un-learned lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic raised by the 2022 international Lancet Commission . Amongst other lessons, it highlighted "the lack of timely, accurate, and systematic data on infections, deaths, viral variants, health system responses, and indirect health consequences". Canadian authorities seem to be making the same gamble, unwilling to learn from their own past mistakes, or the collective wisdom of everyone from occupational health and safety experts to scientists, engineers, historians, and front-line healthcare workers. Based on initial symptoms alone, H5N1 can’t be distinguished from more familiar influenza strains, COVID-19 or the common cold. In the case of the infected BC teen, even asking about their poultry farm exposure would not have raised any alarms at their first ER visit. BC got lucky, and no H5N1 transmission occurred. The question is what happens next time? Researchers using ferrets to study an H5N1 strain isolated from a dairy farm worker found it could be transmitted via the air , as well as by direct contact and on contaminated cages and bedding material. Like the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, the seasonal flu virus and many other disease-causing microbes , H5N1 can travel in tiny aerosol particles. They float in the air like smoke for hours, travelling significant distances, riding on air currents, and sneaking through the gaps around medical masks. Through the simple act of breathing, those infected with H5N1 risk unknowingly exposing everyone in that B.C. ER waiting room, and possibly dozens of healthcare workers. Even if we didn’t have the evidence of those ferret studies, the need for a precautionary approach is clear — especially when we have non-invasive, cost-effective tools like air cleaners and N95 respirators that dramatically reduce risk of spread. Public health leaders gambled against airborne transmission in COVID, and in SARS before that - and lost both times. We cannot afford to get this wrong yet again. Beyond the harm done to individuals, every new human infection produces billions of copies of the virus. With a high mutation rate, this allows nature’s evolutionary engine to roll the dice over and over — each one giving the virus another chance to hit the pandemic jackpot. For us, the only way to win is not to play. The good news is that with a precautionary approach, it not only can be done, but it has been done. Many people are familiar with the outbreaks that occurred when SARS arrived in Toronto in 2003 — far fewer know of Vancouver’s “outbreak that didn’t happen.” When a patient returning from Hong Kong arrived at the Vancouver General Hospital ER on March 7, 2003, the emergency team applied the precautionary principle. They placed the patient in respiratory isolation, before any laboratory confirmation. In contrast, Toronto hospitals were late to initiate airborne precautions to prevent the short- and long-range spread of the SARS virus in shared air - an error that led to many more people getting infected, and more deaths. The SARS Commission was crystal clear about the lessons public health leaders needed to learn from B.C.’s success and Ontario’s failure, presciently writing... "If the Commission has one single take-home message it is the precautionary principle that (health and) safety comes first: that reasonable efforts to reduce risk need not await scientific proof... Until this precautionary principle is fully recognized, mandated and enforced in our health care system, nurses and doctors and other health workers will continue to be at risk from new infections like SARS." Justice Campbell’s inquiry into the mismanagement of SARS-CoV-1 laid out the information we needed to do better when SARS-CoV-2 came along . He explicitly specified that “...the precautionary principle that reasonable action to reduce risk, like the use of a fitted N95 respirator, need not await scientific certainty.” Backed by decades of rigorous science and real-world experience in occupational health and safety (OHS), and very specific directions in the Canadian national standard ( CAN/CSA-Z94.4 ), there is simply no ambiguity about how to handle novel respiratory diseases with any potential to transmit via aerosols. This SARS lesson was unfortunately ignored. Thus the 2022 Lancet Commission's number two COVID-19 pandemic lesson was the... "costly delays in acknowledging the crucial airborne exposure pathway of SARS-CoV-2 ... and in implementing appropriate measures at national and global levels to slow the spread of the virus." In late 2022, almost two years into the pandemic, the retiring Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization publicly regretted the WHO's failure to accept and act on airborne transmission early on as their biggest mistake that has cost an enormous number of lives . We cannot make the same error again with H5N1. At her last update, it was a relief to hear BC PHO, Dr. Henry, confirm that the B.C. teenager with H5N1 has been on airborne precautions in the ICU. Unfortunately, both Vancouver Island Health Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority put out clinical guidance stating that "droplet" precautions are sufficient when assessing and testing suspected bird flu patients. They are not, given that once the teen’s suspected H5N1 infection was confirmed, 60 healthcare workers had potentially already been exposed. Luckily for them and for us, this time, no one got infected. The August 2024 BC CDC version of Management of Specific Diseases, Interim H5N1 Avian Influenza Outbreak still defines “exposures of concern” as “within 2 meters to a bird, animal or other human with confirmed avian influenza A virus infection.” This fails to acknowledge that H5N1 can be spread much further through aerosol transmission, and will miss people who have been exposed. It also is counter to the precautionary principle. We do not know how rapidly H5N1 will evolve and spread — but there is a realistic possibility an H5N1 pandemic could be as bad as the COVID pandemic, or even worse. We might get lucky — but to rely on that happening is a gamble, not a strategy. No one discipline can claim to have all the answers to dealing with infectious diseases. Public health and infection control policies must be rewritten to adopt the practical, proactive, evidence-informed approaches used by OHS experts. We also need the deep understanding of engineering controls, like fresh and filtered air, along with the “societal memory” of historians and those who study human behaviour, and the lived experience of those harmed by past failures. Scientific understanding may not be able to perfectly predict the future, but it’s better than waiting until there are bodies to count before we act. So what does the precautionary principle (aka “ better safe than sorry ”) tell us we should be doing differently? First and foremost, those present in environments where there is a risk of H5N1 — especially in healthcare, or working with animals — must immediately be provided with the N95 respirators required to comply with basic health and safety standards, along with the training and policies needed to maximise their effectiveness. This is no more negotiable than protections against asbestos or toxic chemicals. The effective exemption of hospitals from workplace health and safety requirements cannot be permitted to continue. Secondly, public education and policies about transmission and contact tracing must be based on the physical realities of aerosol behaviour. There is no magic two-meter (or six foot, or 1-3 foot) boundary beyond which infectious particles somehow refuse to travel. A “potential exposure” is anyone who shared air with an infected person, who may or may not have symptoms. While the story of how those mistaken assumptions came about is entertaining, they are decades out of date - and lacked scientific justification in the first place. Thirdly, as Florence Nightingale recognized over a century and a half ago , places where diseases may be transmitted need clean air. Whether it’s SARS-CoV-2, H5N1, or something new a decade from now, if a pathogen can’t get to you, it can’t make you sick. While new technologies are being rolled out, we have effective options ready to go today, ones that are well-understood by the engineering experts who design and oversee their installation. Air filtration units — portable and fixed — provide a rapid way to remove contaminants and improve air quality in crowded spaces like hospitals, schools, other workplaces and indoor public spaces. Upgrades and new-build ventilation systems take longer to implement, but provide built-in filtration and fresh air delivery for the life of the building. Updates to legislation — an “Indoor Clean Air Act” as the one promised in New Brunswick — can help ensure the benefits are for everyone, not just the wealthy few. As a bonus, they can also remove other contaminants like wildfire smoke, dust and pollen. The best time to upgrade ventilation may have been years ago — but the second-best time is today. The history of major infectious disease outbreaks in Canada is one of missed opportunity after missed opportunity, betting against the house in nature’s casino. With growing awareness of the danger from H5N1 — and the damage already being done by long COVID — decision makers face a clear moral, scientific, and legal requirement to face the reality of airborne disease transmission, and act immediately. Enough is enough. Lyne Filiatrault, MDCM, FRCP EM (retired) Canadian Aerosol Transmission Coalition member Heather Hanwell, PhD MPH MSc Chair and Treasurer, Ontario School Safety Mark Ungrin, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute University of Calgary Co-chair, Legal Committee, Canadian COVID Society Dorothy Wigmore, MSc Occupational hygienist Canadian Aerosol Transmission Coalition

Voyager , a company offering national security and space services, is partnering with space-based cloud services provider LEOcloud to advance edge computing technology . The two companies will work under a project grant awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory Regional Network – Mid-Atlantic as part of its Spring 2024 funding cycle, Voyager said Monday. Advancing Edge Computing Efforts are aimed at further developing edge computing capabilities in space, focusing on space-based neuro processing technology. The project also intends to enhance artificial intelligence-driven deep data fusion, microgravity research and development and autonomous operations. The grant is meant to fast-track the development of technologies such as dual-use applications needed by the commercial and defense sectors. The collaboration aligns with efforts to transform space technology and strengthen the United States’ leadership in space and defense technology development. LEOcloud CEO Dennis Gatens , said of the partnership with Voyager, “Together, we are setting new standards for reliability and performance in the space industry.” Matt Magana , senior vice president of national security at Voyager, added, “AFRL’s support for this program underscores the critical national security imperative to employ edge computing capabilities on orbit.”As we put a bow on 2024, here’s a few of our favorite, memorable and newsworthy photos taken by photographers this year. The images by staff photographers Jason Ardan, Chris Dolan, Sean McKeag and John Haeger as well as Frank Lauri, Dave Scherbenco and Bill Tarutis capture daily life in Northeast Pennsylvania ... it’s moments of stunning beauty, the tragedy and the joy. Enjoy these images as we look forward to what is bound to be another exciting and surprising year in NEPA. Jason Ardan, Staff Photographer Former president and republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump holds up his fist on stage in front of many energized supporters at a rally in the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Apalonia Passetti sings Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again during the Luzerne County and Beyond Got Talent show at the F.M. Kirby Center on Sunday, April 7, 2024. The visual effect was done in-camera using a half-activated range extender. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Pennsylvania State Representative and Democratic Auditor General candidate Malcolm Kenyatta speaks at the Luzerne County Democratic Headquarters on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Greater Wyoming Area’s Chase Evans pitches against Back Mountain during Saturday’s All-Star matchup in West Pittston on June 29, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Emily Cook, Acting Director of the Luzerne County Bureau of Elections, adjusts the inner workings of an agilis sorting machine in preparation for Election Day. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Scranton Prep’s Rebecca Oakes swims the butterfly leg of the 200 medley relay during Friday’s PIAA D2 swimming championships on Friday, March 1, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) 211 N Main Street in Shavertown surrounded in water from a flooded Toby Creek due to rain from Debby on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) The PIAA boys 2A race begins in Hershey on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Monday’s solar eclipse saw the moon cover approximately 95% of the sun in Northeast Pa. on Monday, April 8, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Vice President Kamala Harris holds for applause during a rally in the Wilkes University McHale Athletic Center in Wilkes-Barre on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Ashod Elijah Williamson-James celebrates with loved ones after graduating from Wyoming Area on Friday, June 14, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) 41 N Empire Street in Wilkes-Barre caught on fire around noon on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) The Black Diamond Pipe Band performs in the Pittston St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 2, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Wyoming Seminary’s Anthony Evanitsky pins Blair’s Joe Schinder on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Former president and republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump holds up his fist on stage in front of many energized supporters at a rally in the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Christopher Dolan, Staff Photograper Scranton Police Officer T.J. Stornable gets a fist bump from a kid on Harrison Avenue as he departs from the scene of an hours long police operation at 1612 Pine Street in Scranton on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Clarks Summit’s Ladder 4 is seen set up at the scene of a second alarm fully involved house fire at 303 Fuller Road in Dalton on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Scranton firefighter Allen Lucas uses a saw to cut through a roll-up door at Olympia Chimney Supply on Sanders Street in Scranton as firefighters work to extinguish a fire inside the building on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Green Ridge’s Carter Lapiero celebrates as he scores a run during a District 32 8-9-10 Little League game against Mid Valley at the Carbino Club Little League field in Jessup on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Scranton Prep’s Jake Barrett wrestles North Pocono’s Seth Wheeland in a 139-pound wrestling match on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Delaware Valley quarterback Logan Olsommer reaches over the goal line to score and break a tie as Abington Heights’ Shawn Theodore defends late in the fourth quarter of a football game on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Scranton Police Det. Kyle Gilmartin shakes hands with First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania John Gurganus during a fundraiser for Gilmartin at Montage Mountain on Friday, April 12, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Scranton firefighters work at the scene of a warehouse fire at 211 Birch Street in Scranton at Schoenberg Specialty Products on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Valley View faculty member Ken Rupp stands on a lift as he trims a wire on an umbrella art installation by Frank Dubas in the lobby of Valley View High School in Archbald on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. The art installation is similiar to a display installed by Dubas on Bogart Court in downtown Scranton in the spring of 2023. The umbrellas are installed in advance of Valley View’s Mary Poppins school play. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Scranton firefighters Lt. A.J. Samuel, left, and firefighter Ed Weidow work in the bucket of Truck 2 at the scene of a warehouse fire at 211 Birch Street in Scranton at Schoenberg Specialty Products on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Scranton Prep’s Daniel Santaniello takes a shot during a PIAA Class 4A basketball playoff game against Neumann-Goretti at Freedom High School in Bethlehem on Friday, March 15, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Erin Kosisky of Wilkes-Barre runs on North Washington Avenue in downtown Scranton during The Office 5K on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Scranton Police Officer T.J. Stornable gets a fist bump from a kid on Harrison Avenue as he departs from the scene of an hours long police operation at 1612 Pine Street in Scranton on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) John Haeger, Staff Photographer Hazleton Area High School Patrick Seeley reacts after his shot during a match against Mahanoy Area High School in a Unified Bocce match on Friday, Jan. 5, 2023 Mahanoy City.Hazleton Area High School next match is home on Jan. 16, 2024.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Noah Gennaro ,4, places an American flag at a US veterans headstone at Queen of Haven Cemetery in Hazle Twp. on Monday May 15, 2023. Crews from the Hazleton and West Hazleton Fire Departments places 292 flag at veterans graves in the cemetery, and will place more than 1600 flags at veterans graves throughout the city.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Hazleton Ryan Schmidt (8) and Dominic Marino (25) leap into the air as they celebrate Schmidt scoring in the fourth inning of 6A PIAA quarter final game on Friday, June 7, 2024 at DeSales University.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Heights Terrace Elementary/Middle school students reacts during the Heights Terrace Elementary/Middle School color Run 2024 on Thursday, May 23, 2024.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Heights-Terrace Elementary/Middle School Principal Kevin Schadder holds up the pie and reacts after being pied by his daughter Katheryn Schadder ,right as Maria Zullo ,left looks on during a Pie Day celebration at the school on Thursday, March 14, 2024.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Brian Quijandria portrays Jesus as he and Father Kevin Miller ,center, in white and red along with the faithful process through the city of Hazleton during the Holy Annunciation Parish at Church of Saint Gabriel Good Friday Cross walk on Friday, March 29, 2024.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Tom Biles putts on the 8th during a round of disc golf at Eurana Park in Weatherly during the Eurana Parks dubs league on Monday, July 29, 2024.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Robert Carapellucci sale consultant with Blaise Alexander Mazda of Greater Hazleton clears snow from one of the more than 150 vehicles on the lot following a snow storm on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Ian Oswald tees off during a round of disc golf at Eurana Park in Weatherly during the Eurana Parks dubs league on Monday, July 29, 2024.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Footprints in the snow on the sidewalk on Broad Street near Laurel Street in Hazleton on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Hazleton Riley Katchur (5) is surrounded by teammates after he scores in the six inning of 6A PIAA quarter final game on Friday, June 7, 2024 at DeSales University.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Katheryn Schadder right pies her father Heights-Terrace Elementary/Middle School Principal Kevin Schadder as Maria Zullo ,left looks on during a Pie Day celebration at the school on Thursday, March 14, 2024.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) The faithful process through the city of Hazleton during the Holy Annunciation Parish at Church of Saint Gabriel Good Friday Cross walk on Friday, March 29, 2024.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Mahanoy Area Class of 2024 Salutatorian Lucas Karnish passes pictures of his classmate before the start of the commencement exercise on Wednesday May 29, 2024 at Mahanoy Area Junior Senior High School. (John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Mary Yanuzzi who plays Sophie along with other cast members rehearse a scene from the Cougar Players production of Mamma Mia on Monday May 20, 2024 at Hazleton Area High School. The show run May 24 2024 with a curtain of 7pm May 25 with a curtain of 2pm and 7pm and May 26 with a curtain of 2pm. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students ,cash only at the door.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Pennsylvania State Police salute during the singing of the National Anthem during a memorial service to honor the 104 Trooper’s who were killed in the line of duty since The Pennsylvania State Police were formed in 1905 on Wednesday May 1, 2024 at Troop N in West Hazleton PA. (John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Height-Terrace Elementary/Middle School first grader Abby Arias reacts as local TV personality Chelsea Strub and Jeremy Lewan read “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr Seuss at on Friday March 1, 2024 as part of the Read Across America at the school.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Bob Johnson of Ice Creations uses a chainsaw as he craves to create a “old-time wooden bar’ theme at Damenti’s Restaurant in Hazleton on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. ICE4U2C will open on Tuesday Jan 9, 2024 and run through March 19, 2024 and celebrates non-profit organizations that continually work to improve the communities they serve. This year, a portion of ICE4U2C ticket sales will benefit S.A.F.E.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Hazleton Area High School Patrick Seeley reacts after his shot during a match against Mahanoy Area High School in a Unified Bocce match on Friday, Jan. 5, 2023 Mahanoy City.Hazleton Area High School next match is home on Jan. 16, 2024.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Sean McKeag, Staff Photographer (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Gov. Josh Shapiro, far left, spends the afternoon with family and staff on Lake Wallenpaupack in Hawley Saturday. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Throop police officer Christine Bonavoglia gives a blue and white carnation to Theresa Merva in honor of her father, former Throop police Chief Joseph Merva, during the Police Memorial Service at the Throop Community Civic Center in Throop Sunday, May 19, 2024. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Valley View celebrates a District 2 title in softball. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) A pole vaulter clears the bar at a Scranton Prep vs. Abington Heights Track and Field meet. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Workers demonstrate at PASNAP Rally Outside of Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) A child makes candy at the Strawberry Festival at Lakeland Orchard and Cidery. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) A firefighter works at the scene of a fire in Edwardsville. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Lunch is prepared at St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen on Scranton. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell is shown at a press conference at Scranton Police headquarters. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) A child looks through a telescope during a solar eclipse event at the Kesytone Observatory. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) A Crestwood pole vaulter focuses as she competes in the District 2 Track and Field Championships. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Veterans participate in a Veterans Day ceremony in Jessup. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) A bundled child blows bubbles at an Easter egg hunt at American Legion Post 221. (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) (SEAN MCKEAG/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Frank Lauri, Contributing Photographer Pittston Area pitcher Gianna Adams (16) delivers a pitch in Thursday’s game against Tunkhannock. (FRANK LAURI) Misericordia players rushed the mound squirting water to celebrate their 6-4 win against Middlebury College in the NCAA Division III Regional Baseball Championship on Sunday. (FRANK LAURI) Crestwood’s Jordan Andrews (34) gets up high after the ball against Abington Heights in the District 2 Class AA Lacrosse Championship on Thursday. (FRANK LAURI / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER) Pittston Area pitcher Gianna Adams (16) delivers a pitch in Thursday’s game against Tunkhannock. (FRANK LAURI) Dave Scherbenco, Contributing Photographer Children and parents run for eggs at the start of the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Easter Egg Hunt on Public Square Saturday March 30th. Children 10 and under were treated by a visit from the Easter Bunny who arrived by Wilkes-Barre Fire Truck and had a chance for various gifts if they were able to grab some of the right egg outs of the 7,000 that were scattered about Public Square. Various Downtown Wilkes-Barre businesses also offered treats in front of their respective locations. (DAVE SCHERBENCO / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRPAHER) Democratic candidate Representative Matt Cartwright and his Republican challenger Rob Bresnahan Jr. exchange pleasantries prior to the start of the WVIA produced Pennsylvania 8th Congressional District Debate .The debate was held on the campus of King’s College in the Burke Auditorium on Oct. 22. (DAVE SCHERBENCO/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER) King’s celebrates its victory over Ursinus during an NCAA Division III playoff first-round game Saturday at McCarthy Stadium. DAVE SCHERBENCO / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Children and parents run for eggs at the start of the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Easter Egg Hunt on Public Square Saturday March 30th. Children 10 and under were treated by a visit from the Easter Bunny who arrived by Wilkes-Barre Fire Truck and had a chance for various gifts if they were able to grab some of the right egg outs of the 7,000 that were scattered about Public Square. Various Downtown Wilkes-Barre businesses also offered treats in front of their respective locations. (DAVE SCHERBENCO / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRPAHER) Bill Tarutis, Contribution Photographer The Wilkes University Colonels celebrate after defeating King’s College 43-28 in the annual Mayor’s Cup game in Wilkes-Barre Twp. on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER A flame is passed to light a candle during a vigil on the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims at Plaid Community Church in Jenkins Twp. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER One-year-old D.J. Wentz, of Hunlock Creek, reaches to touch a miniature highland cattle on the second night of the Luzerne County Fair in Lehman Twp. on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Kris Fragale, of Exeter, starts eating a 10-pound, 28-inch pizza with jalapeño peppers and bacon for a pizza challenge at Uncle Buck’s BBQ in Plymouth on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Members of the First Batallion 109th Field Artillery march past the armory in Wilkes-Barre during the 79th annual Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Human resources management graduate Elizabeth Marissa Telencio, of Wilkes-Barre, wears her Star Wars-themed mortarboard during the 75th annual King’s College commencement at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township on Friday, May 17, 2024. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER People watch the final Rockin’ the River concert of the season from Nesbitt Park in Wilkes-Barre on Friday, July 26, 2024. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Nanticoke Area’s Kate Reed, left, blocks the shot of Wyoming Valley West’s Thalia Irizarry in Nanticoke on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Lake-Lehman second baseman Lucy Honeywell. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER A nearly full moon rises behind the trees at Charley Trippi Stadium in Yatesville on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER The Wilkes University Colonels celebrate after defeating King’s College 43-28 in the annual Mayor’s Cup game in Wilkes-Barre Twp. on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERWhat you’ll pay for Medicare in 2025

TORONTO - Losses in the tech sector led Canada’s main stock index lower in late-morning trading on Friday, while U.S. stock markets also fell. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 93.03 points at 24,753.79. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 437.35 points at 42,888.45. The S&P 500 index was down 86.37 points at 5,951.22, while the Nasdaq composite was down 402.43 points at 19,617.93. The Canadian dollar traded for 69.39 cents US compared with 69.51 cents US on Tuesday. The February crude oil contract was up 66 cents at US$70.28 per barrel and the February natural gas contract was up five cents at US$3.37 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$19.70 at US$2.634.20 an ounce and the March copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.12 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

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Winners and losers from CFP, bowl selections: The Big Ten’s smooth ride, SEC angst, cold-weather dreams, letdowns for UW, USC and moreWhile there was high drama in Alexandra Palace on the first day back after the Christmas break, where Damon Heta threw a nine-dart finish, Humphries enjoyed a serene evening. He beat Nick Kenny 4-0 to set up a mouth-watering fourth-round meeting with two-time champion Peter Wright. THE WORLD NUMBER ONE KICKS ON! Luke Humphries comfortably books his spot in the Last 16 with a 4-0 whitewash victory over Nick Kenny, averaging 98.59! 📺 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) Kenny was unable to produce the form that saw him beat Raymond van Barneveld in the previous round and Humphries did not need to be anywhere near his best. “It was one of those games I didn’t want to take for granted,” he said. “I expected a tough game and I wasn’t firing, I felt there is so much more to give, I felt there was more to come out of me. “I didn’t want to give anyone an inch because they can take a mile. “I’m not going to give up this world title without a fight, I wasn’t at my best but when someone pushes me I know I can come up with the goods.” Earlier in the day Heta set the tournament alight on its resumption with a stunning nine-dart finish before bowing out. The Australian, seeded ninth, achieved darting perfection in the second set of his match with Luke Woodhouse to earn a cool £60,000 payday. However, his joy was short-lived as Woodhouse won a thrilling battle 4-3, having trailed 3-1. HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! 🔥 UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! 🤯 Damon Heta lands the second nine-darter of the tournament to raise the roof at Alexandra Palace! — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) Heta was millimetres away from throwing a nine-darter in the previous round when he missed the double 12, but he made no mistake this time in the first match after the Christmas break. Heta’s feat was the second time a nine-darter has been thrown in the 2025 tournament and the 16th of all time at the World Championship, following Christian Kist’s effort before Christmas. As well as landing the Australian a hefty payday, it also saw a lucky fan in Ally Pally win a £60,000, with £60,000 also being donated to Prostate Cancer UK. There were several other titanic battles, none better than Gerwyn Price’s sudden-death leg victory over Joe Cullen. Price looked like he was going to have an easy night when he coasted into a 3-0 lead, but Cullen hit back to send it to a decider, which went all the way. Cullen landed a ‘Big Fish’ 170 checkout to send the tie to a sudden-death leg on his throw but Price hit some big numbers to steal victory. “That was tough, I just wanted to get over the winning line,” he said during his on-stage interview. PRICE WINS A THRILLER! That might just be the game of the tournament so far! 💥 Gerwyn Price manages to break the Rockstars throw in the final leg of the game, and beats Joe Cullen 4-3 and books his place in the Last 16! 📺 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) “He kept coming back, the crowd were way behind him. “I thought I was going to lose, but I kept in there right to the end and got the win. “He played some good darts at the right times. I put myself in that position, I got myself out of it and I’m still in.” Seventh seed Jonny Clayton also battled to victory after squandering a 3-0 lead against Daryl Gurney. Gurney then had six darts to send the decider to a tiebreaker but lost his nerve and Clayton stole a 4-3 win. Stephen Bunting and Peter Wright, who was suffering from a chest infection, enjoyed much more safe passages with routine wins over Madars Razma and Jermaine Wattimena respectively.

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After 149 shows, an estimated US$2 billion in revenue and countless outfit changes, Taylor Swift takes to the stage tonight in Vancouver for the final show of her record-smashing Eras Tour. It’s the superstar’s third sold-out night at BC Place, where she has received a delirious welcome from Swifties both local and international. Swift has reciprocated the feeling, telling the audience on Friday night that she chose Canada and Vancouver to close out the tour because the fans not only know the lyrics, they “scream them.” Swifties have been planning something special to end the tour, with Swift forums abuzz with suggestions to surprise her by singing “Happy Birthday” at tonight’s show, ahead of Swift’s 35th birthday on Dec. 13. Fan projects like this have been a big part of the Eras Tour, with chants and patterned clapping breaking out during various songs. University of Kansas sociology professor and “Swiftologist” Brian Donovan says such moments of joyous social solidarity are known as “collective effervescence.” “What is interesting about the Eras Tour is that it also brought about unique cultural things like the trading of friendship bracelets,” he said, noting such practices were fan-driven and were not organized by Swift or her team. Swiftie Jenny Fox got tickets to Saturday’s show after seeing daughter Avery’s reaction to the Eras Tour movie. “I texted my husband in the theatre and said that if this is how it is in a movie theatre, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to see and experience this in real life in a massive stadium and to see the joy on Avery’s face,” she said. University of British Columbia philosophy professor Kimberley Brownlee said Swift’s concerts and the fans’ involvement have provided something “glorious,” and a “joy we get to share in collectively.” Before Swift’s Vancouver dates, she performed six shows in Toronto last month. Canada was announced as a late addition to the tour last year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously pleaded with the star on social media to visit Canada, telling her “don’t make it another cruel summer.” Trudeau and family members were among Swifties at the Toronto shows, as were former U.S. president Bill Clinton and wife Hillary. For Fox, attending the tour in Vancouver with her daughter has special meaning. Fox is the primary caretaker for her own mother, who has late-stage Alzheimer’s. Music, she said, has become the last connection to the person her mom once was. “As soon as we put certain music on, mom comes back,” she said. “So music is very near and dear to us. We play a lot of music, and a lot of Taylor Swift with her, so there is that love and memory and special tie to it.” She says music endures, and attending The Eras Tour together will be something she and Avery can hold on to. “It’s something that we will forever remember,” she said.