VANCOUVER — A Federal Court judge has dismissed an appeal by a "deeply religious" British Columbia health executive who said he was wrongfully denied employment insurance after being fired three years ago for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Darold Sturgeon was fired as executive director of medical affairs for Interior Health in November 2021 after refusing to get the vaccine based on his Christian beliefs. He applied for employment insurance benefits but was denied due to being fired for "misconduct," with appeals to two levels of the Social Security Tribunal also failing, leading him to seek a judicial review in Federal Court in August 2023. The ruling says Sturgeon believed the tribunal should have examined his assertion under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that the term "misconduct" did not apply to his case "because he was exercising his freedom of religion." Justice William Pentney says "recent, abundant and unanimous case law" defined a specific and narrow role for the tribunal's appeal divisions, focusing on an employee's conduct, and not justification for and employer’s policies or compliance with the Charter. The ruling says Sturgeon's appeal fell "outside the mandate" of the tribunal and he could have challenged Interior Health's mandatory vaccine police "through other avenues." These included advancing a Charter claim, lodging a wrongful dismissal suit or labour grievance, or complaining to the British Columbia Human Rights Commission. "The point is, there were other avenues available to pursue the Charter question; this decision does not cut off the only avenue of relief," the ruling says. It added of Sturgeon, who represented himself, that "no one has doubted that he acted based on his understanding of his religious obligations," and that he had "ably advanced his arguments." "However, despite his sincere and thoughtful arguments, the binding jurisprudence requires that I find against him," the ruling says. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. Darryl Greer, The Canadian PressBy KENYA HUNTER, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington . As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race , held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating residents’ pets , he didn’t just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris , many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris’ loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women’s concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution , which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government programs and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people . Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,”’ she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Some of Trump’s plans affect people in Olivia Gordon’s immediate community, which is why she struggled to get behind the “Black women rest” wave. Gordon, a New York-based lawyer who supported the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s presidential nominee, Claudia de la Cruz, worries about who may be left behind if the 92% of Black women voters who backed Harris simply stopped advocating. “We’re talking millions of Black women here. If millions of Black women take a step back, it absolutely leaves holes, but for other Black women,” she said. “I think we sometimes are in the bubble of if it’s not in your immediate circle, maybe it doesn’t apply to you. And I truly implore people to understand that it does.” Nicole Lewis, an Alabama-based therapist who specializes in treating Black women’s stress, said she’s aware that Black women withdrawing from social impact movements could have a fallout. But she also hopes that it forces a reckoning for the nation to understand the consequences of not standing in solidarity with Black women. “It could impact things negatively because there isn’t that voice from the most empathetic group,” she said. “I also think it’s going to give other groups an opportunity to step up. ... My hope is that they do show up for themselves and everyone else.” Brown said a reckoning might be exactly what the country needs, but it’s a reckoning for everyone else. Black women, she said, did their job when they supported Harris in droves in hopes they could thwart the massive changes expected under Trump. “This ain’t our reckoning,” she said. “I don’t feel no guilt.” AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
NFL round-up: Barkley eclipses 2,000 rushing yards as Eagles take NFC EastWASHINGTON -- President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars' worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC's five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC's antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC's efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump's orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan's scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment. ___
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has stressed the importance of dialogue for resolving political issues. Speaking to the media while attending the wedding reception of a nephew of Punjab Chief Minister's Coordination Secretary Rana Aamir Karim Khan, he criticized what he termed a growing trend of treating criminal acts as a political right. He said acts like arson, vandalism and destruction of property could not be justified under any circumstances. The speaker stressed the need for negotiations, elaborating that dialogue was essential in politics. Responding to a question, he referred to the May 9 incidents as a "dark stain on Pakistan's history" and called for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the matter. "Those responsible must be brought to justice," the speaker of the Punjab Assembly added. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see ourMatt Gaetz says he won’t return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney generalUnderstanding Lattice Semiconductor’s Valuation: An In-Depth Look Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ:LSCC) is currently trading at around $58.96, which may indicate a potential overvaluation of 33% compared to its estimated fair value of $44.22. According to analysts, the company’s target price is set at $61.42, even higher than the current valuation. The valuation method applied here is the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model, a popular tool for estimating a company’s intrinsic value by projecting future cash flows and discounting them to present value. This article focuses on a two-stage growth model, where the initial phase involves robust growth followed by a slower growth phase. Estimating Future Cash Flows The analysis predicts Lattice Semiconductor’s cash flows over the next decade, utilizing analyst estimates when available. As growth rates are assumed to decrease over time, the analysis ensures more realistic reflection of the company’s potential. Here’s a snapshot of some key figures: by 2034, the company’s free cash flow is projected to be approximately $440 million, increasingly discounted over the 10-year period to derive a present value of about $2.1 billion. Beyond this, the terminal value captures all future cash flows, calculated at $8.5 billion, with a current value of around $4.0 billion. Is the Stock Overpriced? Combining all these values gives a total equity value of $6.1 billion, translating to an intrinsic value per share that suggests the stock might indeed be pricey at current levels. However, it’s crucial to remember that DCF, while insightful, is just one of many models and can be sensitive to various assumptions and factors like industry trends and capital needs. Unlocking the Future of Lattice Semiconductor: Insights Beyond Valuation Market Trends and Innovations As the world of semiconductors continues to evolve, Lattice Semiconductor positions itself at the forefront of market trends and innovations. Their focus on low-power, small-form-factor programmable logic devices has aligned well with the increasing demand for energy-efficient technology solutions. This growing emphasis on sustainability and power efficiency opens new markets and expands applications in fields like telecommunications, industrial solutions, and consumer electronics. Advanced Features and Use Cases Lattice Semiconductor is renowned for its pioneering programmable logic devices. With the advance of 5G technology and the evolution of AI and IoT, Lattice is stretching the boundaries by providing critical components that enable smarter, more responsive systems. From enhancing communication networks to powering next-gen automotive applications, the versatility of Lattice products supports a wide array of industrial uses. Innovations Driving Growth Recent innovations from Lattice highlight their commitment to achieving performance gains while maintaining low power consumption. The introduction of their latest FPGA products promises advanced processing capabilities that consume significantly less power, making them ideal for portable, battery-operated devices. This innovation is set to drive further market penetration and expansion into new technological territories. Security Aspects and Sustainability Lattice’s emphasis on security and sustainability not only enhances the intrinsic value of their product offerings but also strengthens their competitive edge. Their designs incorporate rigorous security features that safeguard data integrity, a crucial factor in today’s cyber-threatened environment. Moreover, their continued efforts towards reducing energy consumption demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship, appealing to eco-conscious consumers and industries. Pricing Strategy and Market Analysis Despite speculations around its current trading status, Lattice Semiconductor strategically maintains pricing that balances innovation with market accessibility. The company’s ability to price competitively while offering high-performance options contributes to sustained revenue growth. This deliberate pricing strategy, underpinned by robust market analysis and consumer demand insights, bolsters its market presence. Predictions and Future Directions Looking ahead, Lattice Semiconductor is poised to capitalize on emerging technological trends. As the demand for low-power, high-performance electronic solutions continues to surge, Lattice is predicted to further amplify its role in the semiconductor sphere. Industry analysts anticipate continued innovation in logic devices, with advances that cater to the expanding needs of AI, edge computing, and beyond. Conclusion While Lattice Semiconductor’s current valuation presents debates regarding its stock price, the company’s future potential remains significant. With a solid foundation in innovation, security, and sustainability, Lattice is well-equipped to navigate the burgeoning semiconductor landscape. Investors and technologists alike should keep a watchful eye on this evolving player as it shapes the tech frontier. For more information about Lattice Semiconductor, visit their official website .Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin took to the podium Tuesday to answer questions from local media and ended up defending his team from some criticisms. Although the loss to the Cleveland Browns came last Thursday, some reporters had more questions about George Pickens’ play, and his antics. The wide receiver and Browns cornerback Greg Newsome came into conflict both during and after the Hail Mary on the final play of the game when Pickens tossed Newsome by his facemask towards the stands. In the process, Pickens was taken out of the play. Tomlin avoided directly answering questions about the scuffle, sticking to football by reiterating that Pickens’ job was to high point the ball. When a reporter asked him if Pickens was in position to do his job, Tomlin replied, “I think [Cleveland’s] actions had something to do with him not being in position to do that,” according to Chris Adamski of TribLive.com . That is a reference to the actions of Newsome, who pushed Pickens out the back of the end zone while the ball was in mid-air, a move which Tomlin and Pickens both clearly think should have been pass interference. George Pickens and Greg Newsome on the final play of Steelers vs Browns pic.twitter.com/8N4vvU4wYj It appears the Steelers’ head coach has no problem with, or at least will not speak publicly on, the extracurricular activities of his star wideout this week in the mini-brawl with Newsome against he back wall behind the end zone. Tomlin went on to defend his team again in discussing a controversial third-down play call where Justin Fields came into the game. Fields has been primarily used as a runner lately, but threw a pass on Thursday for the first time since Russell Wilson took over the starting job. On that key third-down failure that prevented Pittsburgh from running out the clock, Fields took a three-step drop and delivered a decent impression of Wilson's now-famous "moonball" in the direction of Pickens, who was one-on-one on the outside. The pass ultimately fell incomplete and drew criticism considering the situation. The Steelers only needed four yards, so a deep ball wasn't an ideal play-call there. Furthermore, not having a superior passer in Wilson throw the ball was more reason to be frustrated over the play. George Pickens almost had a part 2 and look at this dime by Fields pic.twitter.com/YU14mKjSMJ Yet Mike Tomlin does not regret the play call or the personnel grouping. “We felt good about it, to be quite honest with you. It was a weighty moment. It was third-and-medium," Tomlin said, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor . "They had 11 guys within five yards of the line of scrimmage. We had GP matched up on a corner not named Denzel Ward. That feels like more than a 50-50 ball to me, and so we were comfortable with that decision.” Much of the Steelers’ biggest plays this season have come by hitting Pickens deep on go routes, especially with Russell Wilson at quarterback. As a result, teams are double-covering him more than ever. Arthur Smith drew up a play that got GP into the one-on-one situation that an elite jump-ball receiver lives for, and Fields delivered a great throw. The result of the play does not automatically condemn it as being a bad call, or even bad execution necessarily. Still, there are plenty of negatives to take away from a Thursday night upset where the first place Steelers lost to the last place team in the AFC North. Tomlin and Pittsburgh will have to right the ship as they travel to the opposite side of Ohio to play Cincinnati this coming Sunday at 1:00 pm EST. MORE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEWS Alex Highsmith injury update for Week 13 Nick Herbig gets national recognition for standout game vs. Browns NFL power rankings: How far did Steelers fall?
Indiana 72, Columbia 62MAUI – The No. 2-ranked UConn men’s basketball team dropped an overtime thriller, 99-97, to Memphis to open the Maui Invitational at the historic Lahaina Civic Center on Monday. The Huskies trailed by 12 with three minutes left in regulation, but freshman Liam McNeeley led a comeback effort and Solo Ball nailed a 3-pointer with a fraction of a second left, sending the game to overtime. Coach Dan Hurley, angry with the referees from the very beginning of the game, was called for a costly technical foul with 40 seconds left as he argued an over-the-back foul against McNeeley, and the Tigers went up four. Hassan Diarra scored eight points for the Huskies in overtime, but was forced to heave a shot at the buzzer that was off the mark. UConn is now 4-1 on the season and 9-4 all-time in the Maui Invitational. After their first loss in their last 17 games dating back to last season, the Huskies will meet the loser of Game 2 between Colorado and Michigan State on Tuesday. The tone was set early as Samson Johnson collected his first foul about 20 seconds in. It took only four minutes for the first technical to be called against UConn’s bench. The foul trouble continued as Johnson, McNeeley and Ball picked up two a piece midway through the opening half. UConn finished the game with 29 total fouls, sending Memphis to the free throw line for 40 shots. UConn struggled to operate through the physicality of Memphis’ defense, but Tarris Reed Jr. (22 points, 11 rebounds) held his own to keep UConn in the game as the Tigers started 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Sophomore Jaylin Stewart, only averaging 2.8 points in 12.8 minutes per game, took advantage of his opportunity as the Huskies’ deficit grew to six. He made a 3-pointer and scored seven consecutive points, dunking to tie the game before Reed slammed another to take the lead. The first half was Adama Sanogo-esque for Reed, who went into the break with 15 points and seven rebounds. He and Stewart combined to score UConn’s final 22 points of the half, enough to keep up with Memphis’ 13-for-23 shooting from the field, 5-for-10 from beyond the arc, and knot the halftime score at 40. But UConn’s offense couldn’t keep up in the second half. Ball started UConn’s scoring with a 3-pointer, but it was more than four scoreless minutes before Karaban made his third triple of the game to quell a 5-0 Memphis run. Stewart reentered and almost immediately slammed a putback dunk off a McNeeley miss with 14 minutes to go, tying the game back up at 48. Stewart didn’t score again, however, and finished the game with 16 points and five boards. The Huskies started the second half just 3-for-10 from the field in the second half before Hunter and Mahaney traded triples and Karaban hit all three from the line after he was fouled on a 3-point attempt, tying the score for the 11th time. But the shots didn’t stop falling for Memphis. Hunter, 7 for his first 10 3-pointers, hit one from the corner while drawing the fourth foul on Mahaney and converted the four-point play. He was good again from beyond the arc 30 seconds later, pushing Memphis’ lead to 10 points with 8:09 left in the game. Memphis’ lead grew to 13 before Karaban’s fourth triple of the game with 3:37 left. Reed dunked twice to keep the game from getting out of hand, but fouled out with about three minutes left. McNeeley, quiet with just two points through the game’s first 37 and a half minutes, nailed back-to-back 3-pointers and cut the Huskies’ deficit to four with 1:38 to go. The Huskies forced a turnover down three with 14 seconds left, and Ball sent the game to overtime with a 3-pointer just before the buzzer. Johnson fouled out with a technical foul in the overtime period and finished with just two points, and Ball fouled out with 13 seconds left in overtime.
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