SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Department of Homeland Security agent who the FBI says conspired with another agent to sell an illicit drug known as “bath salts” pleaded not guilty to a drug distribution conspiracy charge Friday in federal court. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Department of Homeland Security agent who the FBI says conspired with another agent to sell an illicit drug known as “bath salts” pleaded not guilty to a drug distribution conspiracy charge Friday in federal court. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Department of Homeland Security agent who the FBI says conspired with another agent to sell an illicit drug known as “bath salts” pleaded not guilty to a drug distribution conspiracy charge Friday in federal court. A grand jury in Salt Lake City brought the criminal charge against Special Agent David Cole of the Homeland Security Investigations unit earlier this week. The indictment alleges that Cole abused his position as a federal law enforcement agent to obtain and sell drugs for profit. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Cole took drugs that had been seized as evidence, telling colleagues he was using them for legitimate investigations, and instead sold them to a confidential informant who resold the drugs for profit on the streets of Utah, according to the indictment. The informant, who has a lengthy criminal history, had been recruited by federal agents to work for them upon his release from prison. But in addition to conducting controlled buys from suspected drug dealers as directed by investigators, the informant said he was compelled by Cole and another agent to also engage in illegal sales. The investigation began after the informant’s defense attorney contacted the U.S. Attorney in Utah in October to report that agents had required him to engage in potentially illegal acts dating from last spring to early December. Details of drug sales offered by the informant were confirmed through surveillance and other sources, the FBI said. Cole and the second agent — identified in court documents only as “Person A” — profited up to $300,000 from the illegal scheme, according to an FBI affidavit filed in the case. FBI spokesperson Sandra Barker said Friday that “Person A” had not been arrested or charged, but the investigation was ongoing. Cole, 50, of South Jordan, Utah, entered the courtroom Friday handcuffed and hunched over, wearing a white and gray, striped jumpsuit. U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin Pead accepted Cole’s not guilty plea and scheduled a trial for the week of Feb. 24. Federal officials say Cole’s indictment sends a message that officers who break the law and undermine the public’s trust in law enforcement will be prosecuted. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “A drug dealer who carries a badge is still a drug dealer — and one who has violated an oath to uphold the law and protect the public,” said Nicole Argentieri, head of the U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “No one is above the law.” Special Agent Shohini Sinha, who leads the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office, said Cole’s alleged actions helped fuel an already devastating drug crisis. Ingestion of synthetic bath salts, also known as Alpha-PVP or cathinone, can lead to bizarre behavior such as paranoia and extreme strength, according to authorities who say it’s similar to methamphetamine, cocaine or ecstasy. They are unrelated to actual bathing products. Cole’s attorney, Alexander Ramos, has declined to directly address the criminal allegations but said his client has a strong reputation within the federal law enforcement community. Ramos did not immediately respond Friday to emails seeking comment on the not guilty plea. The Homeland Security Investigations department where Cole worked conducts federal criminal investigations into the illegal movement of people, goods, money, weapons, drugs and sensitive technology into, out of and across the U.S. Cole and the second agent had their credentials suspended but have not been fired, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement

In a season of raised expectations due to the arrivals of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, Rutgers is experiencing some underwhelming moments. Off to a mediocre start through 12 games, Rutgers faces a tough test in its final nonconference game Monday night when it hosts Columbia in Piscataway, N.J. Rutgers (7-5) is hoping to avoid a second straight loss to an Ivy League opponent, and the Lions (11-1) are off to a better start than Princeton (9-4), which beat the Scarlet Knights on Dec. 21 in Newark, N.J. Four of the Scarlet Knights' losses are by five points or fewer, including a two-point loss to Kennesaw State and the 83-82 defeat to Princeton when it gave up a last-second basket along with 19 offensive rebounds and 23 second-chance points. It was the sixth time Rutgers allowed at least 80 points this season and it is 2-4 in those games. "I thought we played hard and did some good things out there, but a lot of second shots and just gotta be one possession better," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. "We scored plenty of points to win." Harper scored 22 points and has scored at least 20 in four straight games and 10 of 12. Bailey collected 15 points and 12 rebounds but has shot less than 50 percent in five of his past eight games after making 6 of 16 shots vs. Princeton. Columbia has lost the past 10 meetings and is seeking its second win over a power-conference opponent. The Lions earned a 90-80 win at Villanova on Nov. 6 and are on a three-game winning streak since a 15-point loss to Albany on Dec. 4. Columbia is averaging 83.3 points so far and scored at least 80 for the ninth time when it shot a season-beat 57.7 percent (30 of 52) in Saturday's 85-72 win over Fairfield. The Lions are led by Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa, whose 19.6 scoring average is third in the Ivy League. Rubio De La Rosa is also shooting 53.7 percent and is second in the Ivy League at 46.4 percent from 3-point range. Rubio De La Rosa has scored at least 20 points seven times, including a 27-point outing against Fairfield when he shot 8-of-15 after a scoreless opening half. Rubio De La Rosa also scored 22 in Columbia's win over Villanova. "With the break we had we just need to get into it, I wasn't surprised we were so slow in the first half," Columbia coach Jim Engles said. "Now we got to play top-five draft picks, so that's bad scheduling." --Field Level Media

As the future of warfare pivots towards artificial intelligence, Ukraine is sitting on a valuable resource: millions of hours of footage from drones which can be used to train AI models to make decisions on the battlefield. or signup to continue reading AI has been deployed by both sides on the battlefield during Russia's invasion of Ukraine to identify targets, scanning images far quicker than a human can. Oleksandr Dmitriev, founder of OCHI, a non-profit Ukrainian digital system that centralises and analyses video feeds from over 15,000 drone crews working on the front lines, told Reuters his system had collected two million hours, or 228 years, of battlefield video from drones since 2022. That will provide vital data for AI to learn from. "This is food for the AI: If you want to teach an AI, you give it 2 million hours (of video), it will become something supernatural," he said. According to Dmitriev, the footage can be used to train AI models in combat tactics, spotting targets and assessing the effectiveness of weapons systems. "It is essentially experience which can be turned into mathematics," he said, adding that an AI program can study the trajectories and angles at which weapons are most effective. The system was originally made in 2022 to give military commanders an overview of their areas of the battlefield by showing them drone footage from all nearby crews side by side on one screen. After the system was rolled out, the team running it realised that video being sent back by drones could prove useful as a record of the war – so they began to store it. On average, Dmitriev said five or six terabytes of new data were added every day from the fighting. Dmitriev said he was talking with representatives from some of Ukraine's foreign allies that had expressed interest in his OCHI system, but declined to provide details. Samuel Bendett, adjunct senior fellow at the US-based Centre for a New American Security, said such a vast pool of data would be extremely valuable in teaching AI systems to identify what exactly they are seeing, and what steps they should take. "Humans can do this intuitively, but machines cannot, and they have to be trained on what is or isn't a road, or a natural obstacle, or an ambush," he said. Kateryna Bondar, a fellow at Wadhwani AI centre at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said the size of the data set and the image quality were important, as AI models learned to recognise targets based on shapes and colours. Bondar said that the dataset was valuable in the context of training to fight Russia. However, she said US officials and drone makers prefer a dataset that trains AI systems to operate in the Pacific against a potential Chinese adversary. "(They want) systems ready and able to fight against China because that's the main priority for the US right now, rather than getting a lot of footage of Ukrainian fields and forests." Ukraine also has another system, called Avengers, developed by its defence ministry, which centralises and collects video from drones and CCTV. The ministry declined to provide information about this system. However, it has previously said that Avengers spots 12,000 Russian pieces of equipment a week using AI identification tools. Thousands of drones are already using AI systems to fly themselves into targets without human piloting, and Ukraine is using AI technologies to help demine its territory. Ukrainian companies are developing drone swarms, where a computer system will be able to execute commands for an interlinked cloud of dozens of drones. Russia has also touted its use of battlefield AI, most notably for target recognition in Lancet strike drones, which have proved lethal against Ukrainian armoured vehicles. Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats reelected Chuck Schumer as party leader on Tuesday as the party moves into a deeply uncertain time, with no real consensus on a strategy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Schumer faced no opposition in the party leadership elections, in which Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin was also reelected to the No. 2 spot and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar became the new No. 3. In a statement, Schumer, of New York, said he was honored to move the party forward “during this crucial period for our country.” “Our preference is to secure bipartisan solutions wherever possible and look for ways to collaborate with our Republican colleagues to help working families,” Schumer said. “However, our Republican colleagues should make no mistake about it, we will always stand up for our values.” While Schumer remains popular with his colleagues, it is a bleak moment for Senate Democrats, who were hopeful they could hold the majority for the third election in a row. Instead they lost four seats and will be in the minority, 53-47, as Trump takes office. Trump dialed in Tuesday with Senate Republicans as they began laying the groundwork for control of government. The brief call was more celebratory than a prescriptive policy agenda, according to those attending the private GOP retreat, urging senators to confirm his Cabinet nominees as they launch an agenda of tax cuts, deportations and other priorities. "It was a love fest," said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. “There was a real sense of unity in the room.” Republicans want to notch an early accomplishment after Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20. Incoming Senate Republican leader John Thune of South Dakota outlined a potential roadmap during the private retreat at the Library of Congress, detailing a potential strategy that would have senators working on an initial legislative package — energy, border security and defense priorities — that could be approved in the first 30 days of the new administration. Next, he explained that the senators would turn to reviving the expiring tax cuts from Trump's first term. The new Congress convenes Jan. 3, and the Senate expects to quickly begin holding confirmation hearings for Trump’s top Cabinet nominees. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also addressed the GOP senators — noting his slim majority in the House. He “emphasized the need for unity heading into the first 100 days agenda,” his spokesman Taylor Haulsee said. Unlike eight years ago, when opposition to Trump’s narrow election win fueled enthusiasm in their party, Democratic lawmakers and many of their voters are exhausted and looking for answers. So far, Democrats stayed relatively quiet on Trump’s nominees and plans for office. Schumer declined to comment on specifics of any nominees, instead allowing Republican reaction to dominate the conversation. On Monday, Schumer wrote a public letter to Thune, asking him to resist Trump’s pressure to allow him to appoint some of his nominees without a Senate vote and to insist on full FBI background checks for all nominees. But he has said little else about Trump’s upcoming presidency. While some have been more aggressive — Washington Sen. Patty Murray, a former chairwoman of the Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee, said that Trump’s nomination of Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department is “dangerous” and “nothing short of disaster” — several Democratic senators say they are saving their strength and figuring out a focus. “Everybody’s in kind of a wait-and-see mode right now,” said Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, part of Schumer’s leadership team. “Under the previous Trump administration, there was chaos all the time, all the time. And I do think it is important to pick your battles.” It’s still unclear which battles they will pick, and Democrats have differing opinions on how to fight them. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who is also in Democratic leadership, says “anyone who has a grand strategy is full of crap” but thinks Democrats, for now, “need to keep things simple.” “We need to talk about people, protect people, advocate for people,” he said. “Do not talk about protecting institutions. Do not talk about advocating for institutions. It’s a not just a rhetorical shift, but an attitudinal shift. We have to remind ourselves, that we’re not fighting for programs and projects and line items and agencies or norms. We’re fighting for people.” Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said he’s spent a lot of time reflecting, and “I don’t think anyone can claim this was a policy election,” and Democrats need to look at cultural issues. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman says Democrats just need to “pace ourselves” and avoid the “massive freakout” of Trump's last term. Democrats should be preparing, says Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal. He says Schumer is picking his battles “very thoughtfully and strategically.” “We’re thinking about how we protect against using the FBI, or the prosecutorial authority of the Justice Department for retribution against critics,” Blumenthal said. “How we elevate these issues in a way that American people understand them.” Democrats know better now “the extraordinary challenges we’re going to face,” Blumenthal said.

Forthright and fearless, the Nobel Prize winner took pot-shots at former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US president George W Bush among others. His death came after repeated bouts of illness in which images of the increasingly frail former president failed to erase memories of his fierce spirit. Democrat James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr swept to power in 1977 with his Trust Me campaign helping to beat Republican president Gerald Ford. Serving as 39th US president from 1977 to 1981, he sought to make government “competent and compassionate” but was ousted by the unstoppable Hollywood appeal of a certain Ronald Reagan. A skilled sportsman, Mr Carter left his home of Plains, Georgia, to join the US Navy, returning later to run his family’s peanut business. A stint in the Georgia senate lit the touchpaper on his political career and he rose to the top of the Democratic movement. But he will also be remembered for a bizarre encounter with a deeply disgruntled opponent. The president was enjoying a relaxing fishing trip near his home town in 1979 when his craft was attacked by a furious swamp rabbit which reportedly swam up to the boat hissing wildly. The press had a field day, with one paper bearing the headline President Attacked By Rabbit. Away from encounters with belligerent bunnies, Mr Carter’s willingness to address politically uncomfortable topics did not diminish with age. He recently said that he would be willing to travel to North Korea for peace talks on behalf of US President Donald Trump. He also famously mounted a ferocious and personal attack on Tony Blair over the Iraq war, weeks before the prime minister left office in June 2007. Mr Carter, who had already denounced George W Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history”, used an interview on BBC radio to condemn Mr Blair for his tight relations with Mr Bush, particularly concerning the Iraq War. Asked how he would characterise Mr Blair’s relationship with Mr Bush, Mr Carter replied: “Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. “I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world.” Mr Carter was also voluble over the Rhodesia crisis, which was about to end during his presidency. His support for Robert Mugabe at the time generated widespread criticism. He was said to have ignored the warnings of many prominent Zimbabweans, black and white, about what sort of leader Mugabe would be. This was seen by Mr Carter’s critics as “deserving a prominent place among the outrages of the Carter years”. Mr Carter has since said he and his administration had spent more effort and worry on Rhodesia than on the Middle East. He admitted he had supported two revolutionaries in Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, and with hindsight said later that Mugabe had been “a good leader gone bad”, having at first been “a very enlightened president”. One US commentator wrote: “History will not look kindly on those in the West who insisted on bringing the avowed Marxist Mugabe into the government. “In particular, the Jimmy Carter foreign policy... bears some responsibility for the fate of a small African country with scant connection to American national interests.” In recent years Mr Carter developed a reputation as an international peace negotiator. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his work with human rights and democracy initiatives, and his promotion of economic and social programmes. Mr Carter was dispatched to North Korea in August 2008 to secure the release of US citizen Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labour after being found guilty of illegally entering North Korea. He successfully secured the release of Mr Gomes. In 2010 he returned to the White House to greet President Barack Obama and discuss international affairs amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Proving politics runs in the family, in 2013 his grandson Jason, a state senator, announced his bid to become governor in Georgia, where his famous grandfather governed before becoming president. He eventually lost to incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Fears that Mr Carter’s health was deteriorating were sparked in 2015 when he cut short an election observation visit in Guyana because he was “not feeling well”. It would have been Mr Carter’s 39th trip to personally observe an international election. Three months later, on August 12, he revealed he had cancer which had been diagnosed after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver. Mr Obama was among the well-wishers hoping for Mr Carter’s full recovery after it was confirmed the cancer had spread widely. Melanoma had been found in his brain and liver, and Mr Carter underwent immunotherapy and radiation therapy, before announcing in March the following year that he no longer needed any treatment. In 2017, Mr Carter was taken to hospital as a precaution, after he became dehydrated at a home-building project in Canada. He was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions in 2019 having had a series of falls, suffering a brain bleed and a broken pelvis, as well as a stint to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Mr Carter spent much of the coronavirus pandemic largely at his home in Georgia, and did not attend Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, but extended his “best wishes”. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Mr Carter during his term as US president, died in November 2023. She had been living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Mr Carter said in a statement following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”Ayra Wang BioLogiQ, a technological company, has developed a method to convert potato starch into a plant-based material. This innovative material can be manufactured into reusable cups and cutlery, significantly contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions in urban areas. The company's breakthrough technology was recognized with a gold award at the 4th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 5 and 6. Ken Kramer, BioLogiQ's president and chief technology officer, called the award an affirmation of the hard work by the company's research and development team. He expressed hope that their invention would help mitigate human-caused pollution and promote sustainable development for future generations. "I've been involved in the plastic manufacturing industry for over 30 years, and I understand the environmental harm caused by fossil fuels and plastics," Kramer said in an exclusive interview with Sing Tao Daily, a sister publication to The Standard. Founded in 2011, the US-based company expanded into Asia in 2019, establishing its regional office in Hong Kong and a factory across the border in Shaoguan. Kramer said that the plant-based material is derived from crops such as potatoes and corn and can reduce carbon emissions by up to 46 percent compared to conventional plastics. "Fossil fuels are not renewable and contribute to pollution, whereas plants can be regrown and absorb carbon dioxide during their growth," he said. Plant-based materials, he added, are often stronger than those made from fossil fuels. Kramer highlighted the fact that plant-based materials are more cost-effective than wood, bamboo and paper, especially now that the SAR government is promoting a citywide plastic-free lifestyle. "Cutting down trees or bamboo is detrimental to the environment, as it takes years for trees to grow back," he said. "In contrast, crops like potatoes and corn can be harvested two to three times a year, allowing factories to utilize existing machinery for plant-based material production," he said. While the company's products can contain up to 50 percent plant-based materials, they typically mix in 10 to 25 percent traditional plastics to keep costs manageable for consumers. Kramer's aim is for some products to achieve 100 percent plant-based content for agricultural use next year, with plans to develop entirely plant-based products within five years. Linda Lee Wai-ling, the company's managing director, said the plant-based material is converted from the starch of potatoes or corn. BioLogiQ also plans to recycle wastewater containing starch from fry production facilities as a raw material. Lee reassured people that using crops for plastic does not impact the food supply, as the plant-based materials industry currently uses only 0.02 percent of agricultural land, and that is projected to rise to just 0.073 percent by 2028. "It's not a waste of food; starch is already used in paper production, though many people may not realize it," Lee said. The company aims to integrate environmental protection into everyday life by producing household items like reusable tableware, cups and food bags made from plant-based materials. "We want consumers to engage in environmental protection easily and affordably," Lee said. Plant-based materials, she added, can help reduce microplastic contamination in the food chain, protecting human health. "Currently, over 90 percent of plastic waste ends up in landfills or nature, breaking down into microplastics that pollute oceans and soil. These microplastics can eventually enter the food chain," she said. The company is in discussions with local juice producer Bless to create containers, packages and plastic bags made from plant-based materials, with anticipated discounts for consumers next year. Lee said plant-based materials are 100 percent compostable, non-toxic and environmentally friendly, making them ideal for non-reusable items aimed at reducing pollution. BioLogiQ plans to expand the use of plant-based non-woven materials into various applications, including disposable masks, hospital protective clothing and diapers, which cannot be reused due to hygiene concerns.Block, Inc. ( NYSE: SQ ) UBS Global Technology and AI Conference December 3, 2024 1:35 PM ET Company Participants Owen Jennings - Head of Business Conference Call Participants Tim Chioto - UBS Tim Chioto Okay, great. Welcome everyone. We are so glad to have with us today the team from Block. So we're going to be introducing Owen Jennings to the investment community. This is Owen's first time doing a conference like this. Owen is Block's Business Lead. We'll get into his role in a second, but I want to just take a moment to thank Owen, but also Nikhil, Tori, Katie, the IR team that all made it out here today. So thank you for traveling to Arizona and being with us. All right, so we're going to get into introducing Owen and into some great topics, but first I want to read a disclaimer and then we'll get the ball rolling. So during this conversation, Owen may make forward-looking statements, which may include statements about market trends and conditions and Block's preliminary expectations for its future financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, assumptions, and uncertainties. Owen may also speak as to certain non-GAAP metrics, which are not intended to be a substitute for Block's GAAP results. Please review Block's filings with the SEC as well as its investor presentation on its investor relations website for comparable GAAP financial measures. Further references to Block's lending and bank products include those that are offered through Block's bank partners. So with that, as I mentioned, Owen is Block's Business Lead. He spent time on the Square Ecosystem. He spent time in Cash App. Owen, if you could introduce yourself and maybe some of the roles that you've played at Block over the last decade. Owen Jennings Sure. Thanks so much, Tim. Thanks

The Yankees have suffered a significant drop in offensive production this offseason with the departures of Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto. Torres, who signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, was one of the team’s most consistent bats during the second half of the season. His 2024 campaign included a .257/.330/.378 slash line with 15 home runs and 63 runs batted in. Soto’s impact was even greater, with his .288/.419/.569 line and 41 home runs providing elite production in the heart of the lineup. Losing two cornerstone offensive players has left a major void in the Yankees’ batting order. Adding Bellinger and Goldschmidt Helps The Yankees have made some notable additions to offset these losses, signing Cody Bellinger and trading for Paul Goldschmidt. Bellinger brings defensive versatility and the potential for a strong bounce-back season . In 2024, he hit .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs and 72 runs batted in for the Cubs. While his production dipped from his impressive 2023 season, Yankee Stadium’s dimensions could help reignite his power stroke, and his ability to play center field or first base gives the team flexibility. Goldschmidt adds a veteran presence and a reliable bat to the Yankees’ lineup. The 37-year-old had a solid 2024 season, hitting .245/.302/.414 with 22 home runs and 65 runs batted in for the Cardinals. His 100 wRC+ suggests he’s an average hitter at this point in his career. However, while both players address key needs, their additions alone don’t fully replace the firepower lost with Torres and Soto’s departures. A Trade for Brendan Donovan Could Be the Missing Piece The Yankees’ lineup still lacks depth, especially in the infield, where adding a controllable player would provide stability. Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals represents an ideal target . Donovan is a versatile infielder who can play multiple positions and bring much-needed balance to the lineup. In 2024, Donovan slashed .278/.342/.417 with 14 home runs and 73 runs batted in over 153 games. His 115 wRC+ highlights his ability to get on base and drive in runs, while his defensive versatility allows him to slot in at second base, third base, or even the outfield if needed. Donovan’s projected $3.6 million salary in arbitration for 2025 makes him an affordable and appealing option for the Yankees, who are working within tight financial constraints. The Need for a Balanced Offense Adding Donovan would help round out the Yankees’ offense, providing contact skills and plate discipline to complement the power hitters already in the lineup. While Bellinger and Goldschmidt bring proven talent, neither fills the void left by Torres and Soto entirely. A player like Donovan, who offers consistent on-base ability and defensive flexibility, would provide the Yankees with a much-needed boost as they aim to contend in a competitive American League. The Yankees’ focus now must be on finding a way to bridge the gap left by their departing stars. A blockbuster trade for a player like Donovan would allow them to balance their roster while ensuring they remain a top contender heading into the 2025 season. This article first appeared on Empire Sports Media and was syndicated with permission.

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The Labour Ministry is calling for the government to increase its contribution rate to the Social Security Fund (SSF) from 2.75% to 5%, in line with countries with advanced social security programmes. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said he attended a meeting on Wednesday with three subcommittees involved in the management of SSF investments. They were the investment management subcommittee, the risk management subcommittee and the alternative asset investment advisory subcommittee. Ministry officials who attended the meeting included Aree Krainara, secretariat to the Labour Minister, and Marasri Jairangsee, secretary-general of the Social Security Office. During the meeting, he suggested enhancing the efficiency of SSF's investments. He proposed raising the government's contribution rate from the current 2.75% to 5%, matching the rates of employees and employers. This adjustment aims to generate more investment capital, aligning with the standards of countries like Sweden and Estonia, he said. He said he also suggested that the wage ceiling for calculating contributions be increased to ensure the fund's long-term sustainability and ability to provide enhanced benefits. Since 1991, the ceiling has been fixed at 15,000 baht, which no longer aligns with the current economic conditions, he said. So, the Labour Ministry will increase the ceiling in three stages, he said. The ceiling will be revised to 17,500 baht from 2026 to 2028, to 20,000 baht between 2029 and 2031 and to 23,000 baht from 2032 onwards, he said. Ms Marasri said benefits tied to the wage ceiling, such as income replacement, sickness, disability, unemployment, maternity leave allowances, death benefits and retirement pensions, have been limited for individuals earning more than 15,000 baht per month due to the unchanged ceiling. So, it is appropriate to lift the wage ceiling for contribution calculation to ensure that fund members receive improved benefits that are more consistent with the current economic conditions, she noted. Mr Phiphat said he also proposed that workers of certain professions be given the option to extend their retirement age beyond 55. This would allow individuals to continue working and gain benefits from the prolonged investment returns. In addition, he said he recommended broadening the fund's investments by increasing portfolio exposure to riskier assets, international assets and alternative investments. A particular focus was placed on low-cost, diversified index funds to maximise returns. He emphasised that all investments must comply with international standards and build trust among stakeholders while highlighting workforce development and incentives as critical to achieving strong fund performance.

Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, dead at 100None

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