what does mega mean in math New Valley Waters councillor ready to learn 'as I grow'Cooper Rush is making a good case to stay as Dak Prescott's backup with Cowboys

Urban Furnished Celebrates a Year of Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation in Affordable Housing Solutions

The National Civil Registration Authority of Sierra Leone (NCRA) is reviewing its current civil registration law to identify gaps that need to be filled in line with current changes witnessed by man and technology. The NCRA is the country’s ID management authority, and led a recent workshop attended by local stakeholders and representatives of international partner organizations, according to a by the Authority. These partners include Irish Aid, the European Union (EU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Focus during the workshop was to discuss possible amendments to the Draft National Civil Registration (NCR) Bill of 2022 and the National Civil Registration Authority Act of 2016. In the course of the four-day workshop, which was held at the instance of Ministry of Internal Affairs, participants shared thoughts on several issues, including how the legal framework for civil registration in the country can be updated to reflect current exigencies. They looked at the gaps and inadequacies which they believe have to be addressed in the exiting legislations as the country moves to strengthen its foundational identity system which is of the government’s digital transformation drive. Speaking during the workshop, the NCRA Director General, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, said in order to modernize the country’s civil registration system and render it more efficient, an update to the legal framework and technological deployment is inevitable. The official noted that a robust CRVS legal framework will not only “strengthen national planning,” but will also enhance “democracy and social protection mechanisms,” reports. UNICEF representative in the country, Rudolf Schwenk, emphasized the importance of birth registration as the foundational layer of legal identity, noting that “every child deserves to have their identity recognized,” and therefore “strengthening civil registration is not only a legal imperative but also a step toward achieving sustainable development goals.” The deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Internal Affairs, Sarty Banya, said amendments to the 2016 legislation would address several challenges brought about by legal, technological and operational changes. Officials say reflections during the workshop will be useful in shaping the trajectory the legislative amendment process will take. | | | | | | | |JOSH BERMAN JOINS ASSEMBLY AS EVP, ASSEMBLY LEAD IN NORTH AMERICA

A US judge has dismissed the federal criminal case accusing Donald Trump of attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat after prosecutors moved to drop that prosecution and a second case against the president-elect, citing Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president. or signup to continue reading The order on Monda from US District Judge Tanya Chutkan puts an end to the federal effort to hold Trump criminally responsible for his attempts to hold onto power after losing the 2020 election, culminating in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by a mob of his supporters. The move came after Special Counsel Jack Smith, the lead prosecutor overseeing both cases, moved to dismiss the election case and end his attempt to revive a separate case accusing Trump of illegally retaining classified documents when he left office in 2021 after his first term as president. It represents a big legal victory for the Republican president-elect, who won the November 5 US election and is set to return to office on January 20. The Justice Department policy that the prosecutors cited dates back to the 1970s. It holds that a criminal prosecution of a sitting president would violate the US Constitution by undermining the ability of the country's chief executive to function. Courts will still have to approve both requests from prosecutors. The prosecutors in a filing in the election subversion case said the department's policy requires the case to be dismissed before Trump returns to the White House. "This outcome is not based on the merits or strength of the case against the defendant," prosecutors wrote in the filing. Prosecutors in the documents case signalled they will still ask a federal appeals court to bring back the case against two Trump associates who had been accused of obstructing that investigation. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung hailed what he called "a major victory for the rule of law." Trump had faced criminal charges in four cases - the two brought by Smith and two in state courts in New York and Georgia. He was convicted in the New York case while the Georgia case, which also relates to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, is in limbo. In a post on social media, Trump railed on Monday against the legal cases as a "low point in the History of our Country." The moves by Smith, who was appointed in 2022 by US Attorney-General Merrick Garland, represents a remarkable shift from the special prosecutor who obtained indictments against Trump in two separate cases accusing him of crimes that threatened US election integrity and national security. Prosecutors acknowledged that the election of a president who faced ongoing criminal cases created an unprecedented predicament for the Justice Department. Chutkan left open the possibility that prosecutors could seek to charge Trump again after he leaves office, but prosecutors would likely face challenges bringing a case so long after conduct involved in the case happened. Trump pleaded not guilty in August 2023 to four federal charges accusing him of conspiring to obstruct the collection and certification of votes following his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump, who as president will again oversee the Justice Department, was expected to order an end to the federal 2020 election case and to Smith's appeal in the documents case. Florida-based Judge Aileen Cannon, who Trump appointed to the federal bench, had dismissed the classified documents case in July, ruling that Smith was improperly appointed to his role as special counsel. Smith's office had been appealing that ruling and indicated on Monday that the appeal would continue as it relates to Trump personal aide Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, a manager at his Mar-a-Lago resort, who had been previously charged alongside Trump in the case. Both Nauta and De Oliveria have pleaded not guilty, as did Trump. In the 2020 election case, Trump's lawyers had previously said they would seek to dismiss the charges based on a US Supreme Court ruling in July that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution over official actions taken while in the White House. Trump denied wrongdoing in all cases and argued that the US legal system had been turned against him to damage his presidential campaign. He vowed during the campaign that he would fire Smith if he returned to the presidency. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementStakeholders in the education space have been called upon to create a policy framework that can trigger a seamless adoption of technology in Nigeria’s educational system. This was the takeout from the November edition of Edtech Mondays, an initiative of the Co-Creation Hub (CCHUB) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s Centre for Innovative Teaching & Learning in ICT. The engagement session, themed “The Role of Policy in Advancing Edtech in Nigeria”, was moderated by Chinyelu Akpa, Practice Lead, Education, CcHUB. Idris Oladipupo, founder of Universal Basic Education Digital Museum, while highlighting the challenges confronting the Nigerian education sector, said there is a need for a holistic policy change on educational technology in Nigeria. He stated that stakeholders must begin to champion a comprehensive policy that addresses the challenges in educational technology delivery. He noted that with the high number of out-of-school children (7.2 million in primary schools alone), poor learning outcomes (47 million children unable to read), and a shortage of qualified teachers (20-16 learners per teacher), emphasis should be focused on leveraging technology to improve access and quality. Bridget Iyere, a panellist and product and operations lead, eLimu, highlighted the challenges of providing curriculum-aligned content for Nigerian children, emphasising the need to create educationally engaging games. Iyere stated that beyond providing educational infrastructure and devices for kids, introducing technology to education should be seen as complementary. She explained that the role of government was crucial not only in the adoption of edtech but also in the area of funding. She also stressed that the unification of curriculum across public and private schools has become imperative to ensure consistency in learning outcomes. On his part, Damilola Oguntunde, the founder, Harde Business School, advised the government to create an enabling environment that would help advance education through technology. While acknowledging that huge consumption of technology has been responsible for the failure rates in qualifying examinations among students, he called for educators and parents to ensure a balanced use of technology especially in the context of culture. According to him, with the right infrastructure, which includes the provision of regular power supply, data, broadband, and devices, as well as the implementation of the right methodology, resources, and content, the quality of education will improve and result in meaningful development for the country.

Amber Heard criticises social media in response to Blake Lively complaint

The Latest: UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect contests his extradition back to New York

Who from the Crocodile Dundee cast outlived the famed 16ft reptile Burt? Here's where the cast are now - including Paul Hogan the 'recluse'

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (EPRT) to Issue Quarterly Dividend of $0.30 on January 14th

Energy stocks as a whole delivered an underwhelming performance in 2025. The average one in the S&P 500 has only managed to eke out a small gain (the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund -- an ETF that tracks energy stocks in the S&P 500 -- is only up about 1% on the year). Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has rallied more than 25%. A few Fool.com contributors expect a better performance from energy stocks next year. Chevron ( CVX 0.01% ) , Enterprise Products Partners ( EPD -0.23% ) , and Occidental Petroleum ( OXY 0.75% ) top their lists as the best ones to buy in the new year. Here's why they expect these energy companies to deliver a strong performance in 2025. Chevron has you covered through the energy cycle Reuben Gregg Brewer (Chevron): Energy stocks can be volatile, given that oil and natural gas prices are notoriously volatile. So you have to go in ready to handle the inherent ups and downs of the industry, regardless of whether you buy at the top of the energy cycle or the bottom. Chevron is built to ride the wave -- and keep paying you well throughout. The proof is in the $250 billion market cap energy giant's 37-year streak of annual dividend increases. There are a couple of important reasons for this reliable performance. First off, as an integrated energy company, Chevron has exposure across the energy sector, including the upstream (energy production), midstream ( pipelines ), and downstream (chemicals and refining). Each of the sectors operates a little differently from the others and, as such, having all three in the portfolio helps to soften the broader industry's peaks and valleys. CVX Debt to Equity Ratio data by YCharts Then there's Chevron's rock-solid balance sheet , with a debt-to-equity ratio that's a very low 0.2. That would be low for any company, but it gives Chevron the leeway to take on leverage during energy downturns so it can continue to support its business and dividend until the energy sector recovers, as it always has before. Add in an attractive 4.5% dividend yield , and there's even more reason to buy Chevron right now. Dual drivers should fuel more growth in 2025 Matt DiLallo (Enterprise Products Partners ): Midstream giant Enterprise Products Partners had a very solid year in 2024. The master limited partnership ( MLP ) grew its distributable cash flow by 5% in the third quarter. Meanwhile, it has increased its distribution payment by 5% over the past year. The company benefited from recently completed organic expansion projects, which supplied it with new sources of cash flow . That momentum should continue in 2025. The midstream company has several more organic expansion projects in the pipeline that should enter commercial service over the next year. Those projects will supply more sources of cash flow growth next year. In addition, Enterprise Products Partners will get a boost from its recently closed acquisition of Pinon Midstream. The $950 million deal will be highly accretive to its cash flow. The MLP expects it to add $0.03 per unit in 2025, with further upside potential from commercial and operating synergies. Those visible growth drivers should give the MLP the fuel to continue increasing its distribution in 2025. That would extend its growth streak, which reached 26 years in 2024. Its payout currently yields a very attractive 6.8%, putting it much higher than average (the S&P 500's dividend yield is around 1.2%). Enterprise Products Partners' lucrative income stream and visible growth drivers should give it the fuel to produce a solid return in 2025. That low-risk probability of earning a solid return makes it stand out as a top energy stock to buy for the next year. A compelling bounce-back candidate for 2025 Neha Chamaria (Occidental Petroleum): Occidental Petroleum stock turned out to be one of the largest underperforming large-cap energy stocks of 2024, losing 19% of its value in the year as of this writing. While falling oil prices in the second half of the year hit several oil stocks, Occidental Petroleum stock took a bigger hit partly because of debt, which zoomed after its multibillion-dollar CrownRock acquisition in August. At this point, however, Occidental Petroleum looks like the kind of energy stock you'd want to buy for 2025 for one big reason: Management is laser-focused on cutting down debt. Occidental announced a target of reducing debt by at least $4.5 billion within 12 months of closing the CrownRock acquisition. The company, however, hit 90% of its goal in less than three months, driven by strong cash flow generation in its third quarter. During its third-quarter earnings conference call, management stated that Occidental Petroleum has enough cash to repay debt maturing in 2025, and that it should be able to pare debt further next year even in a low-oil price environment. Meanwhile, CrownRock's key assets in the Permian Basin are already contributing to Occidental's production and cash flows, as was evidenced in the third quarter. Occidental also has other growth catalysts, such as its low-carbon ventures business and its chemicals business, called OxyChem. Given the backdrop, Occidental Petroleum looks like a value stock worth betting on for 2025 .

Elon Musk's claims are 100% not true, according to Jeff Bezos after the Tesla CEO rekindles their feud. The verbal spat between the two wealthiest individuals in the world has been rekindled after Elon Musk again attacked Jeff Bezos. Musk claimed in an X post on Thursday that Bezos had instructed investors to sell their holdings in his businesses since Donald Trump would undoubtedly lose the presidential election, as quoted in a report by Business Insider. Bezos responded hours later, saying the assertion was 100% not true. Musk responded to that by writing that he stands corrected and then adding an emoji of laughter and tears. Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, contributed over $130 million to Trump's reelection campaign. He warned on X that America would fall to tyranny if the former president wasn't reelected, and he stumped for Trump onstage at campaign rallies. Musk has been visiting Trump's Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, since the election. The president-elect has also named Musk to co-lead a Department of Government Efficiency to cut back on unnecessary spending. Leadership Crafting a Powerful Startup Value Proposition By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Leadership From Idea to Product: A Startup Development Guide By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Office Productivity Advanced Excel Course - Financial Calculations & Excel Made Easy By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development Intermediate C++ Skills: Master Pointers, Structures and File Stream By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrow's Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Leadership Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy for Non-Finance Executives By - CA Raja, Chartered Accountant | Financial Management Educator | Former AVP - Credit, SBI View Program Finance A2Z Of Finance: Finance Beginner Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Web Development Django & PostgreSQL Mastery: Build Professional Web Applications By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program He claimed to have had little say in the president-elect's cabinet selections on X on Wednesday. According to Musk's post about Bezos, the executive chairman and founder of Amazon anticipated that Tesla and SpaceX would suffer if Trump lost the election because of Musk's close relationship with him. Between November 4, the day before the election, and November 11, Tesla's stock increased 44%, indicating that investors believed the automaker was profiting from a Trump win. Although its shares are traded on private markets, SpaceX is not publicly listed. Musk and Bezos are worth more than $500 billion combined, holding leadership roles at Tesla and Amazon, two of the world's most valuable companies. They are rivals in areas such as artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and self-driving cars, and both run space companies that compete for government contracts. FAQs: What claim did Elon Musk make about Jeff Bezos? Musk claimed that Bezos advised him to sell Tesla and SpaceX stock in anticipation of Trump's election loss. Bezos denied the claim, calling it completely false, which Musk later acknowledged with sarcasm. Why are Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos rivals? Musk and Bezos are tech and space industry competitors who run Tesla, SpaceX, and Amazon. Their rivalry extends to AI , electric vehicles, and personal disagreements, such as accusations and trolling on social media. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )10,000 Amazon Workers Go On Strike, the Largest in Company History

Jimmy Carter dedicated his life to public service and taking care of his family. Remember his legacy with his photos, here. President Jimmy Carter led a remarkable life filled with numerous achievements and accolades. He served as the President of the United States from 1977 to 1981, and following his tenure, dedicated himself to a life of public service. In addition to his role as President, Carter served as a Georgia State Senator from 1963 to 1967 and as the 76th Governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975. Throughout his life, President Carter was supported by his loving wife, Rosalynn Carter , whom he has been married to since 1946. She died in November 2023. Together, they raised a family of three sons, one daughter, grandsons and granddaughters. In February 2023, the Carter Foundation shared that the former President had entered hospice treatment at the age of 98. “After a series of short hospital stays, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention,” the statement read. “He has the full support of his family and his medical team. The Carter family respectfully requests privacy during this time and expresses gratitude for the concern shown by his many admirers.” In December 2024, Jimmy died at the age of 100. For more photos of President Jimmy Carter, check out this gallery below. Jimmy Carter & Wife Rosalynn Carter In 2021 Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Boys & Girls Club in Plains, Georgia in 2021. Jimmy Carter in 2019 Here, President Carter was seen engaging with students during the annual Carter Town Hall at Emory University in Atlanta in 2019. He answered an array of questions about the upcoming presidential election. Jimmy Carter & Rosalynn Carter in 2019 Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter in Nashsville in 2019. Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter at George H.W. Bush’s Funeral Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn hold hands as they attend George H.W. Bush’s funeral in 2018. Carter remains the oldest ex-president. Jimmy Carter & Rosalynn Carter in 2015 Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter attending the MusiCares Person of the Year Gala in 2015. More About Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter’s Cause of Death: About the Former President’s Passing Jimmy Carter & Rosalynn Carter in 2010 Jimmy and Rosalynn joined volunteers to rehabilitate homes in Baltimore, Maryland, in October 2010. Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter In 1993 Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalyn posed together for this 1993 portrait. They founded the Carter Center in 1982, to resolve civil and international conflicts, advance democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity. Jimmy Carter & Family In 1977 President-elect Jimmy Carter had wife Rosalynn and daughter Amy Carter by his side during his Inauguration Day, which took place on Jan. 20, 1977. They posed for photographers and smiled on the special day. The Carters In 1976 Rosalynn Carter and daughter Amy were with then-Georgia governor Jimmy Carter at the Democratic National Convention in New York City on Jul. 15, 1976. They looked like they were getting used to the spotlight. Jimmy Carter at Home in Georgia Jimmy Carter is seen here at his home in Plains, Georgia. The Carters moved back to their hometown after leaving the White House in 1981. Jimmy Carter & Wife Dance President Jimmy Carter got to dance with First Lady Rosalynn Carter during the 1977 inaugural ball. The couple have been married since 1946. Rosalynn Carter Speaks Rosalynn Carter addressed a crowd after a diplomatic trip to Latin America in Jun. 1977. The First Lady met with leaders of Jamaica, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela to discuss commerce human rights disarmament, and the drug trade. Jimmy Carter On Air Force One Jimmy Carter (center right) relaxed with cabinet members Zbigniew Brzezinski, Michael Blumenthal, and Cyrus Vance (left to right) aboard Air Force One during a trip to London for the G7 economic summit. President Jimmy Carter & The First Lady In 1977 President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter beamed in their official 1977 White House portrait. Rosalynn was a politically active First Lady, serving as her husband’s closest adviser and often sitting in on cabinet meetings. Jimmy Carter’s Presidential Portrait President Jimmy Carter poses for his official portrait in 1977. Carter would serve one term as president, leaving the White House in 1981. Jimmy Carter Teaches Sunday School Former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia in 2019. He has been teaching at the church for years. President Ford & Wife With President-elect Carter President Gerald Ford and Betty Ford chatted with President-elect Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter following the Carter’s tour of the White House in Dec. 1976, ahead of his inauguration. The ladies’ hairdos were a retro treat! Jimmy Carter & Ed Kennedy Senator Edward Kennedy looked like he and President Jimmy Carter were making things happen during this 1977 Oval Office meetings. Carter was known for his affable nature. President Carter & Senator Byrd Senator Robert Byrd presented President Jimmy Carter with a copy of his album Mountain Fiddler in 1978. What a relic! Cyrus Vance & President Carter In 1977 Secretary of State Cyrus Vance pulled President Carter aside for a word on the White House lawn in March of 1977. Vance was one of Carter’s closest confidantes during his one-term presidency. President Carter In The Oval Office President Jimmy Carter was hard at work during this deskside portriat taken in the White House Oval Office. Following his time at 1600 Penn., Jimmy received the Nobel Prize. Trending Now