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The shocking murders that shook New York City in 2024MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) — Tarence Guinyard scored 31 points as UT Martin beat Champion Christian 123-56 on Sunday night. Guinyard added eight rebounds and five assists for the Skyhawks (4-7). Josue Grullon scored 23 points while shooting 8 for 16, including 7 for 13 from beyond the arc and added eight rebounds. Matija Zuzic shot 6 for 14, including 5 for 12 from beyond the arc to finish with 17 points. The Tigers were led in scoring by Noah Brooks, who finished with 14 points and two blocks. Champion Christian, a member of the Association of Christian College Athletics, also got 11 points from Adrian Brown. KJ Younge finished with nine points and three steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here .How to get Notre Dame vs. Indiana College Football Playoff 1st round ticketsHealth Secretary Wes Streeting insisted he is “determined” to improve healthcare for trans people as he announced an indefinite ban on puberty blockers for children. The decision was announced after the Government took advice from independent experts who warned prescribing such medication to under-18s for gender dysphoria “presents an unacceptable safety risk for children and young people”. While puberty blockers had been banned on the NHS – outside clinical trials – since March, an order preventing the prescription of the medication from European or private prescribers since May had only been temporary. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said legislation was being updated on Wednesday to make that order indefinite, and that the ban will be reviewed in 2027. While health is a devolved matter, the ban applies across the UK, the department said, adding that the decision had been taken in consultation with the Scottish and Welsh governments, and in agreement with the Northern Ireland government. Mr Streeting, making a statement in the House of Commons, acknowledged the decision will not be welcomed by everyone but sought to reassure young trans people. He said he had met many of them since taking up his post in July, and listened to their concerns, fears and anxieties. In a message directly to them and referencing having come out as gay, he said: “I know it’s not easy being a trans kid in our country today, the trans community is at the wrong end of all of the statistics for mental ill health, self-harm and suicide. “I can’t pretend to know what that’s like, but I do know what it’s like to feel you have to bury a secret about yourself, to be afraid of who you are, to be bullied for it, and then to experience the liberating experience of coming out. “I know it won’t feel like it based on the decisions I’m taking today, but I really do care about this and so does this Government. I am determined to improve the quality of care and access to healthcare for all trans people.” Green MP Sian Berry said she was “extremely worried and fearful” about the decision, describing it as “discriminatory”, while Labour’s Alex Sobel suggested it was “an attack on trans young people”. Mr Streeting said decisions were being taken “based on the evidence and advice of clinicians, not politics or political pressure”. The decision came after the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) concluded puberty blockers for people with gender dysphoria presented “an unacceptable safety risk for children and young people under 18 years without significant additional safeguards”. NHS England said the decision “closes a loophole that posed a risk to the safety of children and young people” through private provision. The ban applies to new patients only, with NHS and private patients already receiving these medicines for gender dysphoria continuing to have access. Puberty blockers will also still be available in cases of young people experiencing early puberty, with Mr Streeting saying they are “safe and proven for use” in this way. The Cass Review into children’s gender care had concluded the quality of studies claiming to show beneficial effects of puberty blockers for children and young people with gender dysphoria was “poor”. Its author Dr Hilary Cass, now Baroness Cass, welcomed the Government’s announcement, describing puberty blockers as “powerful drugs with unproven benefits and significant risks”. She said: “That is why I recommended that they should only be prescribed following a multi-disciplinary assessment and within a research protocol. “I support the Government’s decision to continue restrictions on the dispensing of puberty blockers for gender dysphoria outside the NHS where these essential safeguards are not being provided.” Despite opposition from some, plans remain in place to set up a clinical trial into the use of puberty blockers next year, with an aim to recruit the first patients by spring. Mr Streeting said the trial will help to “establish a clear evidence base for the use of this medicine”. Recognising division on the subject, he told the Commons: “There are some who have called on the Government n ot to go ahead with the clinical trial recommended by Dr Cass. “Others on the opposite side of this debate want the Government to ignore the recommendations of the independent expert Commission on Human Medicines. “We are taking a different approach. The decisions we take will always be based on the evidence and advice of clinicians, not politics or political pressure.” James Palmer, NHS medical director for specialised services, welcomed the ban but recognised it “will be a difficult time for young people and their families who are affected”, adding that targeted support through local mental health services was on offer. A third NHS children’s gender clinic for patients in England and Wales opened in Bristol in November, following in the footsteps of two hubs, led by London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, which opened in April. In total, up to eight new NHS children’s gender clinics – for children of any age – are due to open by 2026. These clinics have been set up following the closure of the Gender Identity Development Service, which had been run by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, at the end of March. Meanwhile, Mr Streeting also revealed the latest waiting lists for children’s gender care have risen to more than 6,200, having stood at just over 5,700 at the end of May. He said: “As in common with all NHS waiting lists, I want to see those fall.” Anyone affected by the announcement can contact agem.cyp-gnrss@nhs.net or call 0300 131 6775 and select option 3. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. 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Each zodiac sign has its unique traits that shape their personalities & differentiate them from each other. Wouldn’t it be useful to start your day knowing what’s universe planned for you? Keep reading to see if today will bring good fortune your way. Aries A heartfelt response from someone special might leave you overjoyed. Be mindful of your spending habits to avoid financial hiccups. Skipping medical advice could cause avoidable health issues, so take care. Listen to those you trust and hold your ground to avoid being overpowered. Let go of minor worries that won’t matter in the long run. Taurus Getting too involved in a work-related issue could complicate things further. On the bright side, financial relief is on the way. Health concerns might be more in your head than reality. If you make a mistake, don’t hesitate to ask for help—support is available. A glowing review of a travel spot might inspire a spontaneous getaway. Gemini Your skills will make you the center of attention at work. Splurging on luxuries won’t hurt your wallet right now. Unexpected sources might offer emotional encouragement. Some may consider studying abroad for better prospects. Keep an eye on your fitness to avoid future problems. Think before making big decisions like buying property—planning is key. Cancer Mending fences with a competitor could prove worthwhile. You might reconnect with an old friend, making your day brighter. Clear and open communication can resolve concerns during negotiations. A fun outing with a loved one will lift your spirits. Keep calm at work, even if things don’t go as planned, and avoid sweating the small stuff. Leo Achieving your goals might require extra effort, but luck is on your side. An overdue loan from a friend could finally be repaid. Athletes are likely to excel today. Hosting an event or party will help you impress influential people. Manage your finances wisely to avoid unnecessary strain. Virgo Be extra cautious with your belongings today. You might need to put in additional hours to manage a professional commitment. Maintain good relations with those in positions of authority, especially in academics. While delicious food is tempting, practice moderation. Someone close might not keep their promises, so investigate before reacting. Libra You’ll feel satisfied with a recent purchase. Today is perfect for starting that initiative you’ve been planning. With tasks piling up, it’s time to get into action mode. Giving to a charitable cause might open unexpected doors. If someone ignores your advice, don’t take it personally. Finalizing a property deal seems likely today. Scorpio Travel might take you on an exciting journey, possibly out of town or even abroad. Think carefully about your spending, as it could affect future finances. Push yourself a bit harder to stay on top of your workload. Address challenges with determination, and you’ll finish pending tasks. Avoid unnecessary conflicts by staying out of others’ matters. Sagittarius Career growth looks promising, with potential promotions in sight. Despite earning well, long working hours might feel draining. A more intense fitness routine could benefit you. Making a new friend might bring unexpected joy to your evenings. Your efforts in professional and academic areas will likely bear fruit. Real estate investments seem set to deliver good returns. Capricorn Managing debts may call for cutting down on expenses. Physical exercise can help you manage stress effectively. With focus and dedication, your business can thrive. Government employees might receive news of a promotion. Joining social activities can help you expand your network. If you’re spiritually inclined, a pilgrimage could be on the cards. Aquarius The stars align in your favor today, bringing good fortune. A surprise financial gain might let you indulge in a treat. After a hectic time, you’ll finally get a chance to relax. Spiritual pursuits may provide deeper insights into life. Your innovative ideas will earn appreciation at work. Socially, you’ll shine, and a younger family member’s achievements will bring pride. Pisces Professionally, it’s a rewarding day. You’ll focus on personal goals and make strides toward success. Acting swiftly will help maintain harmony at home. Exercise caution on the road as the day’s energies aren’t fully in your favor. Patience will guide you to the perfect opportunity. A new purchase will fill you with happiness. Also See: Horoscope Predictions for 2025Aries Horoscope 2025Taurus Horoscope 2025Gemini Horoscope 2025Cancer Horoscope 2025Leo Horoscope 2025Virgo Horoscope 2025Libra Horoscope 2025Scorpio Horoscope 2025Sagittarius Horoscope 2025Capricorn Horoscope 2025Aquarius Horoscope 2025Pisces Horoscope 2025 Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Astrology and around the world.Retirement: 4 ways to maximize your 401(k) contributions before the year ends

Mumbai: Domestic carrier IndiGo on Saturday said it has arranged an alternative aircraft to fly the stranded passengers after its Mumbai-Istanbul flight of December 28, scheduled to depart at 6.55 am, had to be cancelled due to a technical glitch. The long delay prompted some of the passengers to vent their anger on social media. No food or even water was served and there was no representative from the airline willing to listen to their grievances, some passengers claimed. The alternative aircraft will depart for Istanbul at 11 pm, the airline said in a statement. “We regret that our flight 6E17, originally scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Istanbul, faced a delay due to technical issues. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to rectify the issue and dispatch it to the destination, we eventually had to cancel the flight,” IndiGo said in a statement. “Mumbai to Istanbul journey suspended after 10 hours waiting by passengers. Information that there are around 100 passengers in this journey and the number of students is large. Kids are crying at the airport, no resolution from authorities,” said a passenger in his post on X, also tagging Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol. “There are 500 passengers who have been scammed by continuous delays and eventual cancellation. All passengers have not been served any food or water. There is no representative from indigo willing to listen to grievances,” said another passenger in his post. IndiGo, however, said its teams were “working hard” to provide support to the affected customers, keeping them informed and arranging accommodation, meal vouchers and full refunds.Low adoption of solar tech not just due to cost

Though Luigi Mangione comes from a wealthy and prominent family, anonymous online donors have chipped in thousands of dollars to fund his legal defense against charges connected to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. One fundraiser on the Christian-based free speech fundraising platform GiveSendGo had raised more than $31,000 as of Wednesday afternoon on the way to a $200,000 goal. The New Jersey-based fund was created by a newly-formed "December 4th Legal Committee," possibly referencing the date of the shooting. Representatives from GiveSendGo told USA TODAY multiple campaigns have been created for Mangione, including a smaller fundraiser that was unpublished Wednesday. Mangione's attorney, Thomas Dickey, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY, but told CNN Tuesday his client appreciates the support but he "probably wouldn't" accept funds to cover Mangione's legal costs. Organizers on GiveSendGo said on the fundraiser they've written directly to Mangione in jail to determine how he would like to use the funds. If he rejects them, the money would be donated to "legal funds for other U.S. political prisoners." Other social media pages have linked to Mangione's jail commissary account soliciting donations for "snacks, sodas, an iPad, etc." But the group behind the December 4th Legal Committee fundraiser has virtually no online presence and it's not clear how the platform itself, which has been hacked in the past , ensures the money will go where donors think it will, according to Megan Spire, deputy director for data analytics and the OSINT Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center. "You don't really know who you're even giving money to," Spire said. "It's just, it's all very potentially shady." Live updates: Fingerprints, gun link accused shooter Luigi Mangione with CEO killing, police say Controversial defendants and extremists frequently fundraise online GiveSendGo, which has billed itself as the "#1 free Christian crowdfunding site," became a popular choice for fundraising for controversial figures , including people accused of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and members of the Proud Boys. Daniel Penny, a former Marine who was found not guilty Monday of criminally negligent homicide in the death of a homeless man in New York City, raised more than $3 million on the platform and Kyle Rittenhouse , who was found not guilty of all charges after shooting three people in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during a protest against police brutality, raked in more than $250,000. There's been a strong push to get tech companies to stop allowing individuals who promote hate and threaten violence to profit off their platforms, but companies like GiveSendGo have been "extremely resistant" to the calls, Spire said. The more mainstream fundraising site GoFundMe has removed fundraisers supporting Mangione and refunded donations, a spokesperson for GoFundMe told USA TODAY Wednesday, noting the company's terms of service prohibits fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes. But those rules don't apply on GiveSendGo. "While other platforms deny individuals the chance to raise funds for a quality legal defense based on their agendas, we believe people are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law," Heather Wilson, co-founder of GiveSendGo said in a statement after the Penny verdict. "Regardless of media portrayals or public pressure, it’s our responsibility to uphold that right, even for causes we may not personally support. Justice isn’t served when resources are limited to those who fit certain narratives." Exclusive: Extremists raised $6.2 million on crowdfunding websites in 'heyday' of financing Wilson told USA TODAY crowdfunding helps level the playing field in the criminal justice system by allowing people to secure quality representation and cover court related expenses. "The presumption of innocence and the right to legal representation should not be reserved for the wealthy," she said in a statement to USA TODAY. Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family that sent him to prestigious, expensive schools . His late grandfather, Nicholas Mangione Sr., developed real estate and owned country clubs, nursing homes, and a radio station, while his late grandmother, Mary Mangione, was a philanthropist who served as a trustee for the Baltimore Opera Company, on the county tourism board and with groups such as the American Citizens for Italian Matters. His mother owns a funeral home in the area. Fighting a complex legal battle is expensive, even for someone like Mangione who appears to come from wealth, Rainey Reitman, board president for Freedom of the Press Foundation said. Reitman said companies have a right to determine what fundraisers they allow and people have a right to use their money to ensure a defendant gets adequate legal representation. "I would push back against anyone who's trying to tell them to take these fundraisers offline, if it's just because they disagree with what he allegedly did," said Reitman, an author of a forthcoming book on financial companies' terms of service. "This isn't about what he allegedly did. It's about whether or not he can get a strong legal defense, and that something we should all be able to agree on." While the companies themselves may be motivated by a desire to ensure everyone has access to a robust defense, Spire said what appears to motivating people donating to Mangione's defense is widespread anger at the health care system and a view of the suspect as a political prisoner, which she said mirrors rhetoric from supporters of insurrectionists. "People can give for whatever reason they want, but it's a little disingenuous to say that this is all about a liberal defense," she said. "The data belies that. When you read the actual comments, it shows that people aren't really thinking about his defense, they're thinking about themselves and their own anger." Where does the money go? When a person seeks legal aid, lawyers set up what is called an “Interest on Lawyer Trust Account” where money for legal services can be held separately, Reitman explained. Organizers of online fundraisers often have no direct connection to the people they're fundraising for and donors must trust them to do the leg work to ensure the money is deposited in the correct account. Wilson told USA TODAY GiveSendGo takes its verification process seriously, but "does not monitor or control how funds are used after disbursement." She said if a recipient were to reject donations, the funds would not be given to them and donations can be refunded or directed to alternative causes with the giver's permission. "As we remind every giver, It is your responsibility to understand to whom and what you are giving," Wilson said. Reitman said people looking to donate to Mangione's defense should consider waiting until an official fundraiser is set up by his legal team or a reputable nonprofit. "It is the case that in some instances, people who are trying to take advantage of the situation might attempt to set up a fundraiser and have no intention of giving that money to the defense," Reitman said. "So I think that's a real concern, and people should have some skepticism about where they're sending their money to." Contributing: Brenna Smith , Jessica Guynn , Will Carless , Mary Walrath-Holdridge , USA TODAY

NoneNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes got back to climbing on Wednesday after the latest update on inflation appeared to clear the way for more help for the economy from the Federal Reserve . The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to break its first two-day losing streak in nearly a month and finished just short of its all-time high. Big Tech stocks led the way, which drove the Nasdaq composite up 1.8% to top the 20,000 level for the first time. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, meanwhile, lagged the market with a dip of 99 points, or 0.2%. Stocks got a boost as expectations built that Wednesday’s inflation data will allow the Fed to deliver another cut to interest rates at its meeting next week. Traders are betting on a nearly 99% probability of that, according to data from CME Group, up from 89% a day before. If they’re correct, it would be a third straight cut by the Fed after it began lowering rates in September from a two-decade high. It’s hoping to support a slowing job market after getting inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. Lower rates would give a boost to the economy and to prices for investments, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. “The data have given the Fed the ‘all clear’ for next week, and today’s inflation data keep a January cut in active discussion,” according to Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Expectations for a series of cuts to rates by the Fed have been one of the main reasons the S&P 500 has set an all-time high 57 times this year , with the latest coming last week. The biggest boosts for the index on Wednesday came from Nvidia and other Big Tech stocks. Their massive growth has made them Wall Street’s biggest stars for years, though other kinds of stocks have recently been catching up somewhat amid hopes for the broader U.S. economy. Tesla jumped 5.9% to finish above $420 at $424.77. It’s a level that Elon Musk made famous in a 2018 tweet when he said he had secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share . Stitch Fix soared 44.3% after the company that sends clothes to your door reported a smaller loss for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also gave financial forecasts for the current quarter that were better than expected, including for revenue. GE Vernova rallied 5% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500. The energy company that spun out of General Electric said it would pay a 25 cent dividend every three months, and it approved a plan to send up to another $6 billion to its shareholders by buying back its own stock. On the losing end of Wall Street, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment tumbled 20.1% after reporting a worse loss for the latest quarter than expected. It also said CEO Chris Morris has resigned, and the board has been working with an executive-search firm for the last few months to find its next permanent leader. Albertsons fell 1.5% after filing a lawsuit against Kroger, saying it didn’t do enough for their proposed $24.6 billion merger agreement to win regulatory clearance. Albertsons said it’s seeking billions of dollars in damages from Kroger, whose stock rose 1%. A day earlier, judges in separate cases in Oregon and Washington nixed the supermarket giants’ merger. The grocers contended a combination could have helped them compete with big retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon, but critics said it would hurt competition. After terminating the merger agreement with Kroger, Albertsons said it plans to boost its dividend 25% and increased the size of its program to buy back its own stock. Macy’s slipped 0.8% after cutting some of its financial forecasts for the full year of 2024, including for how much profit it expects to make off each $1 of revenue. All told, the S&P 500 rose 49.28 points to 6,084.19. The Dow dipped 99.27 to 44,148.56, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 347.65 to 20,034.89. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.27% from 4.23% late Tuesday. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for the Fed, edged up to 4.15% from 4.14%. In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across much of Europe and Asia. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was an outlier and slipped 0.8% as Chinese leaders convened an annual planning meeting in Beijing that is expected to set economic policies and growth targets for the coming year. South Korea’s Kospi rose 1%, up for a second straight day as it climbs back following last week’s political turmoil where its president briefly declared martial law. AP Writers Matt Ott and Zimo Zhong contributed.

Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. Balaji worked at OpenAI for nearly four years before quitting in August. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI’s strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products. “We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news and our hearts go out to Suchir’s loved ones during this difficult time,” said a statement from OpenAI. Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on Nov. 26 in what police said “appeared to be a suicide. No evidence of foul play was found during the initial investigation.” The city’s chief medical examiner’s office confirmed the manner of death to be suicide. His parents Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamurthy said they are still seeking answers, describing their son as a “happy, smart and brave young man” who loved to hike and recently returned from a trip with friends. Balaji grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and first arrived at the fledgling AI research lab for a 2018 summer internship while studying computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. He returned a few years later to work at OpenAI, where one of his first projects, called WebGPT, helped pave the way for ChatGPT. “Suchir’s contributions to this project were essential, and it wouldn’t have succeeded without him,” said OpenAI co-founder John Schulman in a social media post memorializing Balaji. Schulman, who recruited Balaji to his team, said what made him such an exceptional engineer and scientist was his attention to detail and ability to notice subtle bugs or logical errors. “He had a knack for finding simple solutions and writing elegant code that worked,” Schulman wrote. “He’d think through the details of things carefully and rigorously.” Balaji later shifted to organizing the huge datasets of online writings and other media used to train GPT-4, the fourth generation of OpenAI’s flagship large language model and a basis for the company’s famous chatbot. It was that work that eventually caused Balaji to question the technology he helped build, especially after newspapers, novelists and others began suing OpenAI and other AI companies for copyright infringement. He first raised his concerns with The New York Times, which reported them in an October profile of Balaji. He later told The Associated Press he would “try to testify” in the strongest copyright infringement cases and considered a lawsuit brought by The New York Times last year to be the “most serious.” Times lawyers named him in a Nov. 18 court filing as someone who might have “unique and relevant documents” supporting allegations of OpenAI’s willful copyright infringement. His records were also sought by lawyers in a separate case brought by book authors including the comedian Sarah Silverman, according to a court filing. “It doesn’t feel right to be training on people’s data and then competing with them in the marketplace,” Balaji told the AP in late October. “I don’t think you should be able to do that. I don’t think you are able to do that legally.” He told the AP that he gradually grew more disillusioned with OpenAI, especially after the internal turmoil that led its board of directors to fire and then rehire CEO Sam Altman last year. Balaji said he was broadly concerned about how its commercial products were rolling out, including their propensity for spouting false information known as hallucinations. But of the “bag of issues” he was concerned about, he said he was focusing on copyright as the one it was “actually possible to do something about.” He acknowledged that it was an unpopular opinion within the AI research community, which is accustomed to pulling data from the internet, but said “they will have to change and it’s a matter of time.” He had not been deposed and it’s unclear to what extent his revelations will be admitted as evidence in any legal cases after his death. He also published a personal blog post with his opinions about the topic. Schulman, who resigned from OpenAI in August, said he and Balaji coincidentally left on the same day and celebrated with fellow colleagues that night with dinner and drinks at a San Francisco bar. Another of Balaji’s mentors, co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, had left OpenAI several months earlier, which Balaji saw as another impetus to leave. Schulman said Balaji had told him earlier this year of his plans to leave OpenAI and that Balaji didn’t think that better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence “was right around the corner, like the rest of the company seemed to believe.” The younger engineer expressed interest in getting a doctorate and exploring “some more off-the-beaten path ideas about how to build intelligence,” Schulman said. Balaji’s family said a memorial is being planned for later this month at the India Community Center in Milpitas, California, not far from his hometown of Cupertino. _____- EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. _____– The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.WesBanco, Inc. and Premier Financial Corp. Announce Shareholder Approvals of Merger AgreementFugitive dog gains fame in New Orleans eluding dart guns and nets