The Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy is the first stroller accessory designed to help shield babies and young children from air pollution . Put simply, it is a mobile air purifier. Just like much bigger domestic appliances, it works by trapping airborne particles — dust, pollen and pet dander, for example — to provide cleaner, fresher air for your child. The Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy promises to deliver more than 150 liters of purified air every minute, without disturbing the baby with excessive noise or strong airflow. But is it a game changer for parents living in areas with poor air quality, or is it just a gimmick? We are not experts in baby stroller design and functionality, and do not claim to be; nor are we able to determine whether there are any health benefits to using the Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy. But we do know a thing or two about spotting the very best air purifiers — and, at least in theory, this innovative device has what it takes. Developed in partnership with the Swedish technology start-up bubl.AB, this mobile air purifier uses near-silent fans and Efficiency Particulate Air (EPA) filters capable of capturing up to 90% of airborne pollutants. The Thule canopy is powered by a battery that can last up to 16 hours on a single charge, and it can be controlled remotely via an app. It also has a built-in air quality sensor and three fan speeds. We tested the Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy in line with our air purifier testing protocol, using an industry-grade Perfect Prime air particle monitor and decibel-counting apps. We also looked at its features, ease of use and connectivity with third-party devices. Read on to find out how we got on. Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy review Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy: Set up and usability Available only in the UK and select European countries Compatible only with the Thule Shine bassinet and pushchair Confusing, picture-only instruction manual This mobile air purifier was only announced by Thule in July last year, so it is still very much in its infancy (pun intended). As we were writing this review, the Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy was available only in the United Kingdom (for £429.99) and select European countries (for roughly $490). It is unclear when this product will go on sale in the U.S. We also need to point out that the canopy is only compatible with the Thule Shine bassinet (intended for infants and babies up to approximately six months), and the Thule Shine stroller, which was designed with toddlers in mind. These two products are available to purchase in the U.S., and cost $199.95 and $599.95, respectively. The setup process is relatively straightforward — once you figure it out, that is. The paper manual provided in the package is picture-only, in a form that closely resembles IKEA’s how-to assembly booklets. The problem is that these depictions are somewhat confusing. There are no written instructions to refer to, either. For such a novel product, this lack of clarity is a massive downside. But again, getting the Thule canopy up and running is not too difficult. First, you have to charge the power bank provided in the package — it will function as a removable battery. Then, you will need to insert the EPA filters, download the Thule app and sync it with the canopy, either by scanning a QR code provided on the air purifier or using the product’s serial number. Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy: Design Light, compact and relatively discreet Conveniently controlled with the panel at the back of the canopy Lids for filter replacements feel flimsy Canopy comes with a maximum sun protection rating for fabrics It is tricky to assess the design of the Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy knowing that it is the first of its kind. However, it does seem to be doing some things right. The built-in air purifier unit is relatively small, light and discreet. It does not stick out of the canopy or move within it, even when the canopy is folded up. The control panel is located at the back of the canopy and hidden behind a flap, both for parents' convenience and to keep it out of the baby’s reach. We also liked that the Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy offers UPF 50+ UV protection — the maximum sun protection rating for fabrics. What we did not like, however, was the process of replacing filters. The two lids that cover them are tricky to pull out and even trickier to put back in. You have to wedge in the gaps and gently push them up to access the filters, and that is not easy given how tiny they are. We also found the lids to be relatively fragile and prone to damage. That said, they remained intact and in place throughout the testing period. Speaking of the EPA filters, Thule recommends replacing them around three to four times a year, depending on the usage. Each two-pack costs £44.99, which is on the expensive side, but not wildly different from other air purifiers we tested. Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy: Features Controlled remotely via the Thule app Three fan speeds Air quality sensor, but no auto mode The Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy is not overwhelmed with features, but it has most of the basic settings you can expect from an air purifier these days. It has three fan speeds, a 2.5-micron air particle sensor and a filter life indicator. The canopy can be controlled remotely, too. However, the Thule canopy does not have an auto mode. Even though it comes with a built-in sensor that measures the amount of airborne particles both inside and outside of the canopy, it does not use these values to adjust the fan speed. Also, while the app can continuously display air quality readings from inside the canopy, for measurements of air quality around the bassinet you have to do a separate spot check — the Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy can’t measure both of these values at the same time. We found this to be a glaring oversight. Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy: Performance Up to 16 hours of battery life Good air-cleaning performance in at-home tests Whisper-quiet Gentle airflow The Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy performed surprisingly well in our at-home tests. However, we only tested it in combination with the Thule Shine Bassinet, mainly indoors and always in dry conditions. It is hard to assess how the Thule canopy would perform in real-life scenarios. To start with, we were impressed by its battery life. Thule promises up to 16 hours of use on a single charge, and that is probably right. We say “probably” because we had no battery life indicator to refer to. However, we tested the canopy over several days and during that time we did not have to top up the battery even once. Moreover, we accidentally left the canopy running for hours on end on at least two separate occasions. We simply did not realize it was switched on — which brings us to the next point. The Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy is surprisingly quiet, or at least much quieter than most air purifiers we tested. It makes a pleasant, gentle hum, even when kicked into the highest fan speed. During our tests, we measured the sound level with a decibel-counting app placed where a baby’s head is supposed to be. On the lowest fan speed, we noted 28 decibels (dB), which is comparable to a whisper. At the highest fan speed, we noted 40 dB — the equivalent of a quiet library or refrigerator humming. We also found the airflow to be surprisingly gentle and unobtrusive. However, we do not know exactly how comfortable that would be for a baby. The Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy impressed us with its air-cleaning capabilities. We conducted a series of performance tests using an industry-grade air particle monitor, a piece of kit capable of detecting pollutants as small as 0.3 microns. In each of these tests, we compared the measurements taken outside of the bassinet with data we obtained from the inside of the bassinet (where a baby’s head is supposed to be) after running the canopy for 15 and 30 minutes. We started with ambient tests. We placed the Thule Shine canopy in a closed, middle-sized room. We measured the room’s air quality and then ran the canopy for 15 and 30 minutes at the lowest fan speed, taking note of any air quality changes inside the bassinet. We also did control measurements of the room’s air quality to ensure it stayed the same throughout the test. After 15 minutes, the number of air particles measuring 0.3 microns decreased by 11%, while 2.5-micron particles were reduced by 80%. After 30 minutes, these values rose to 90.5% and 99.99%, respectively. Then, we repeated the ambient test at the highest fan speed. Within half an hour, the Thule Shine canopy filtered out 92.5% of 0.3-micron particles and all of the particles measuring 2.5 microns. No 10-micron particles were detected at any stage. Next, we challenged the Thule canopy to smoke tests. We used five burnt matches to create heavy smoke pollution in an enclosed, middle-sized room. We measured the room’s air quality and then ran the canopy at the highest fan speed for 15 and 30 minutes. After 15 minutes, particles measuring 0.3 microns were down by a whopping 96.78%, and this value rose to nearly 98.5% after 30 minutes. We noted a similar trend with 2.5-micron particles: they dropped by 97.04% after 15 minutes, and then by 98.65% after 30 minutes. The biggest 10-micron particles were reduced by an impressive 99.99% after just 15 minutes. When we repeated the smoke test using burnt incense sticks, we obtained similarly good results. On the other hand, we were left underwhelmed by the Thule app. In all fairness, it was easy to use and refreshingly straightforward in design. However, the app connectivity could be better. For example, we noticed that the air purifier was sometimes very slow to respond to our commands from the app. Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy: Verdict The Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy has a lot of potential. This innovative stroller accessory delivered a surprisingly good performance in our at-home tests. It effectively reduced the levels of airborne particles inside the canopy, without being noisy or generating a disruptive airflow. We also found it compact, discreet and relatively easy to use. However, it is difficult to determine how the Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy would perform in real-life situations. There are many different weather conditions and air pollutants to account for, and we did not test it for long enough to assess its efficiency over time. Still, the Thule canopy could be a sign of an upcoming shake-up in the air purifier market. Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy: How we tested We tested the Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy in combination with the compatible Thule Shine Bassinet, mainly indoors and in dry conditions. Over several days, we assessed its setup, design, features, ease of use and connectivity with third-party devices. We also used a decibel-counting app to measure its noise levels at different fan speeds. Finally, we put the Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy through a series of performance tests using an industry-grade air particle monitor, a piece of kit capable of detecting pollutants as small as 0.3 microns. In each test, first, we took measurements outside of the bassinet, then we compared them to measurements that we obtained by placing our monitor inside the bassinet, right at the front where the baby’s head is supposed to be. First, we conducted ambient tests. We put the Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy in a medium-sized room, with a window closed. We measured air quality in the room and then in the bassinet after running the canopy for 15 and 30 minutes. Next, we used matches and incense sticks to create smoke in an enclosed, medium-sized room. We started by obtaining air quality measurements in the room, then ran the canopy for 15 and 30 minutes, taking notes of any changes to the air quality measurements inside the bassinet.Gregory A. Beard Sells 14,201 Shares of Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. (NASDAQ:SDIG) Stock

'He'll have my record': Johnson in awe of 'effortless' Gout GoutBOSTON (AP) — UConn coach Jim Mora agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2028, the school announced Saturday right before kickoff of the Huskies’ Fenway Bowl game against North Carolina. Mora will earn $10.01 million plus incentives over the next four years, the school said before UConn beat the Tar Heels 27-14 to reach nine wins for the first time since 2007. After the game, Mora thanked the administration for it support but said, pointing to his players, “It’s about these guys and what they did today.” The Huskies were playing in their second bowl game in three seasons under Mora, bouncing back from last year’s 3-9 record to post their first winning season since Randy Edsall took them to the Fiesta Bowl in 2010. UConn has reached nine wins only two other times since joining what is now the Bowl Subdivision in 2000. “When I first got here, I talked about where we wanted this program to go,” Mora said in the statement that was released moments before kickoff. “We have shown great progress but we still have plenty of work to do.” The Huskies (9-4) posted their first winning season since 2010. An independent, UConn won all of its games against the non-Power Four conferences but, heading into the Fenway Bowl, had lost all of its games against major football programs. Mora said Friday that the next step was to start beating those teams as well. “Three years ago, I tasked Jim Mora with the challenge of leading our football team back to success and through his experience, energy and leadership he has done just that,” athletic director David Benedict said. “He has taken our program to post season bowl games twice and just guided our team to one of the best seasons in UConn football history, building a momentum to keep this program moving forward. I look forward to his leadership of our football team in the years ahead.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Cipher Mining Inc. ( NASDAQ:CIFR – Get Free Report ) gapped down prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $5.50, but opened at $5.38. Cipher Mining shares last traded at $5.37, with a volume of 500,431 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CIFR has been the subject of a number of research reports. Canaccord Genuity Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $7.00 target price on shares of Cipher Mining in a research report on Friday, November 1st. BTIG Research boosted their price target on Cipher Mining from $6.00 to $9.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $9.00 price target on shares of Cipher Mining in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Northland Securities upped their price objective on shares of Cipher Mining from $6.00 to $8.50 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Cipher Mining from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $8.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Cipher Mining has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $8.03. View Our Latest Report on Cipher Mining Cipher Mining Price Performance Cipher Mining ( NASDAQ:CIFR – Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The company reported ($0.26) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.08) by ($0.18). Cipher Mining had a negative return on equity of 8.29% and a negative net margin of 33.39%. The business had revenue of $24.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.84 million. During the same period last year, the company posted ($0.07) EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Cipher Mining Inc. will post -0.18 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at Cipher Mining In other news, COO Patrick Arthur Kelly sold 53,161 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.16, for a total value of $380,632.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 664,270 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,756,173.20. This trade represents a 7.41 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Also, major shareholder Top Holdco B.V. Bitfury sold 300,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.60, for a total value of $1,980,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 98,747,588 shares in the company, valued at $651,734,080.80. This trade represents a 0.30 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 1,446,623 shares of company stock worth $9,000,561. 2.25% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in Cipher Mining by 122.8% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 5,330,887 shares of the company’s stock worth $22,123,000 after buying an additional 2,938,184 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC increased its position in shares of Cipher Mining by 73.4% during the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 3,742,931 shares of the company’s stock worth $14,485,000 after acquiring an additional 1,584,874 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Cipher Mining by 37.8% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,509,853 shares of the company’s stock worth $21,327,000 after acquiring an additional 1,511,455 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its holdings in Cipher Mining by 41.5% in the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,900,219 shares of the company’s stock valued at $15,094,000 after purchasing an additional 1,144,390 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Paloma Partners Management Co acquired a new stake in Cipher Mining during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $4,029,000. 12.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Cipher Mining ( Get Free Report ) Cipher Mining Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development and operation of industrial scale bitcoin mining data centers in the United States. The company was incorporated in 2020 and is based in New York, New York. Cipher Mining Inc operates as a subsidiary of Bitfury Holding B.V. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Cipher Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cipher Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

China appears to have recently conducted the trial run of the high-speed rail, the CR450. Tipped to be the world’s fastest commercial train, the CR450 is expected to start operations in 2025. The train, which has a trial speed of 280 mph (450km/h), was reportedly on a trial run from Tianjin to Beijing. A series of videos showcasing the train surfaced on social media in November before being taken down. Train resembles an arrow when viewed from the side The train resembles an arrow when viewed from the side. Its sleek, bullet-shaped nose has slightly angular contours, while the cockpit has decorative breathing lights. Last month’s apparently leaked test video featured a train marked CR450AF-0001, while the latest images show an eight-car CR450 with its serial number covered by white tape, reported SCMP . The CR450 bullet train, China’s most recently designed high-speed train model, will be able to operate at speeds of 248 miles (400 kilometers) per hour during commercial run. The new model is significantly faster than the CR400 Fuxing high-speed trains currently in service, which operate at speeds of 350 kilometers per hour. CR450 is 12 percent lighter Compared to the CR400, the CR450 is 12 percent lighter, consumes 20 percent less energy, and has a 20 percent improved braking performance, according to China Railway. The CR450 innovation project also involves technological innovation in infrastructure, including high-speed railways, bridges and tunnels. China claims that it has built the world’s largest high-speed railway network to address the people’s growing demand for convenient and comfortable travel. The total operational length of its high-speed railway network has exceeded 27961 miles (45,000 kilometers), with Fuxing high-speed trains operating across 31 provincial-level regions nationwide, as per the data available till April 2024. Chengdu-Chongqing Central Line could be possible route Last month’s apparently leaked test video featured a train marked CR450AF-0001, while the latest images show an eight-car CR450 with its serial number covered by white tape. The body is unpainted but the Fuxing branding of China’s bullet trains is visible, highlighting that the new train builds upon the foundation of the CR400, which debuted in 2017, according to SCMP . As per the details released in September, in a single day, China’s railway network transports over 10 million passengers, making it the busiest rail system globally. These bustling services demonstrate China’s vitality, with the railway network reaching 99 percent of cities across the country, each with a population of over 200,000, and the high-speed rail network covering 96 percent of cities, each with a population surpassing 500,000. The recent videos of CR450 have fueled speculations about its possible route. Reports have suggested that the Chengdu-Chongqing Central Line could be its possible route as the Beijing-Shanghai line might require upgrades.

Former SLPP Member of Parliament Lalith Ellawala yesterday (27) announced his decision to quit politics expressing his disappointment with the current state of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) after his cross over. He made this statement while holding a press conference in Panadura yesterday.Addressing the media he added that what they expected cannot be seen in the SJB now. Even though the party is called ‘Samagi Jana Balawegaya’, there is no unity within it. He has accused the party leadership is a dictator. “What we expected is not within the SJB. It is a great dictatorial rule” he added. Furthermore he said that no one is allowed to work freely. Anyone who wants to work is not allowed to do so in SJB, Ellawala noted. Besides, he also pointed out that the SJB would find itself in a chaotic and deteriorating state in the near future. “Taking these facts into consideration, I tender my resignation from all positions in the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, from today. Accordingly, I decided to put an end to my political career from here on,” he added.

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President-elect Donald Trump is about to resume a second term as president with such a slim GOP majority in the House of Representatives that it offers the party little if any room for error. Republicans deliriously reveling about their supposed “huge election mandate” may want to keep a lid on such unabashed glee. As final results are being tabulated from California, the party appears to have the smallest House majority in more than a century. Republican Rep. Michelle Steel lost her Orange County seat to Army vet Derek Tran, while as of this writing Rep. John Duarte narrowly trails Democratic challenger Adam Gray in his Fresno-area district. If Duarte loses his race, Republicans would control nine of 52 House seats in California. Gerrymandering in California, New York (19–7 Democratic to GOP seats), Illinois (14–3), and Massachusetts (9–0) means four states will deliver 85 of the Democratic’s 215 seats in the next Congress. While Republican leaders are likely breathing some small sigh of relief at remaining in the majority, the numbers are cause for alarm. Due to its ever-decreasing small majority, the GOP has been unable to ratify its own partisan bills into law, which House Democrats were powerless to stop. Notably, come January, three prominent GOP figures are out. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida resigned last week and won’t return to the house; Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida vacating his seat to join Donald Trump’s White House team; and Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York is relinquishing her position to become the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Once it’s all said in done, Republicans could begin the next Congress with just a one-seat majority. In the immediate days after the 2024 election, House Speaker Mike Johnson supposedly pleaded with Trump to cease recruiting too aggressively from his House conference for administration positions given this fact. “It’s a great problem to have. We have an embarrassment of riches in the House Republican Congress. Lots of talented people who are very attuned to the America First agenda, and they can serve the country well in other capacities. But I’ve told President Trump, enough already, give me some relief. I have to maintain this majority. And he understands that, of course, we’ve been talking about it almost hourly every day,” Johnson added. I bet they have. One message that many conservatives have failed to grasp is that, while the majority of voters who cast ballots did so for the Trump–Vance ticket, such support for Republicans is conditional at best. The party fared better in the Senate, gaining three seats, but they won each by narrow margins. In fact, the party lost races in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nevada despite party operatives believing such contests to be winnable. Now that they have complete control, Republicans have limited time to get things accomplished. If congressional history is any indication, the party is likely to lose House control in 2026, and the partisan Senate map is shaping up to be an arduous one for them. Voters tend to stay home or refrain from voting in non-presidential election years, especially when Trump isn’t on the ballot. The window for opportunity and accomplishment is radically narrow. Members’ attention turn to political survival in 2026. Some of us ardent political junkies will avidly watch and wait to see if House Republicans work together or remain a fragmented group of political factions. Yes, the menacing Matt Gaetz will no longer be a factor, but other right-wing carnival barkers are still present to wreak political havoc and point fingers. Can Donald Trump and Speaker Johnson keep their subjects in line? Time will tell, but factionalism will mean the end of a functioning majority, a pyrrhic victory at best and guaranteed defeat in 2026. Elwood Watson is a professor of history, Black studies, and gender and sexuality studies at East Tennessee State University. He is also an author and public speaker.

By Ross Cristantiello Since she ran for the office of State Auditor, Diana DiZoglio has been pushing for an audit of the Massachusetts Legislature. Despite numerous setbacks she won over almost 72% of voters, who gave her office the explicit ability to audit the Legislature by approving Question 1 last month. But DiZoglio and leaders on Beacon Hill are still at odds, with Attorney General Andrea Campbell potentially caught in the middle. Multiple twists and turns have happened since election day. Here’s where things stand right now. When do the changes to the General Laws of Massachusetts that resulted from Question 1’s passage actually take effect? It depends on who you ask. At a press conference last week, DiZoglio asserted that the new law would go into effect on Dec. 5. That date marked 30 days since the election. She cited the state constitution, which states that approved ballot measures “shall take effect in thirty days after such state election or at such time after such election as may be provided in such law.” DiZoglio also referenced a guide to ballot questions published by Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office that specifically lists Dec. 5 but gave more context. “The Constitution states that a law proposed by an initiative petition takes effect thirty days after the state election, or at such time after the election as may be provided in such law,” the guide reads. “The courts have not definitively decided whether this means thirty days after the election, or thirty days after the certification of the election results by the Governor’s Council, which usually occurs in late November or early December.” The guide advised petitioners working on ballot measures that they state in the measure’s wording itself specifically when it is to become effective if approved. An explicit effective date was not included in the wording of Question 1. Galvin’s office disputed DiZoglio’s assertion, telling State House News Service that successful ballot questions do not take effect until 30 days after election results are certified by both the governor and Governor’s Council. This took place last Wednesday, meaning Question 1 would take effect on Jan. 3. “As Secretary Galvin explained last week, it has long been his interpretation of the law that ballot questions take effect 30 days after certification of the election, because that is when the election officially ends. Given that ballots can arrive for up to 10 days after Election Day, the possibility of recounts, and other canvassing measures, election results are not always even certified or final within 30 days of Election Day,” a spokesperson for Galvin’s office said Monday. A letter from the House and Senate Counsels to DiZoglio in late November aligned with Galvin’s interpretation. It pointed out that Question 1 contained no provision with an effective date and that the 30-day period does not start until the election is certified by the governor and the Governor’s Council. When reached for comment Monday, a spokesperson for House Speaker Ron Mariano referred back to that letter. DiZoglio told Boston.com that she was “surprised and disappointed” by the disagreements over the effective date, and that her office had been operating under the assumption that it would go into effect Dec. 5. “I was quite taken aback to hear that there’s now a differing opinion being offered,” she said. A few days after the election, DiZoglio sent a letter to Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka informing them that her office would soon be conducting a “performance audit” of the Legislature. She sought to arrange an “entrance conference” and said that her office would need access to more records and could make inquiries with State House staffers. In their late November response, the House and Senate Counsels said that the Legislature would respond to any audit engagement letters only after the 30-day period that begins with the certification of the election results. Last week, DiZoglio sent another, largely similar “engagement letter” to Mariano and Spilka. So far, Senate Counsel has only directed DiZoglio’s office back to their late November letter asserting that DiZoglio’s request was premature. DiZoglio said she was hopeful for cooperation, but is ready to pursue legal action if necessary. “Should they not respond to our office again, we unfortunately will have to seek assistance from the Attorney General’s office again and have requested that, should they not comply with the new audit law, the Attorney General represent the people in litigation if necessary.” she told Boston.com. Last year, Campbell declined to back a potential lawsuit that would have forced the Legislature’s compliance. In a Nov. 27 letter, Campbell said that more time was needed not only for the law to go into effect, but for her to assess how the Legislature responds and if that warrants litigation. When reached for comment Monday, a Campbell spokesperson referred back to the Nov. 27 letter. “I understand from your letter and associated public comments that you are eager to undertake an audit of the Legislature—and, if necessary, litigate about its scope. But no such litigation is ripe,” Campbell wrote to DiZoglio at the time. DiZoglio said she is asking residents to contact Campbell’s office to urge her to wade into the fight on behalf of the voters who approved Question 1. “I am cautiously optimistic that, now that the voters have come out and spoken very loudly and clearly... that the Attorney General will have a change of heart at some point soon and stand with the voters by representing them in court if necessary to ensure compliance by legislative leaders who continue to balk at the idea of an audit,” she told Boston.com. Regardless of Campbell’s ultimate decision, outside groups could get involved. DiZoglio appeared last week with leaders from the conservative Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance and the progressive group Act on Mass, which have both supported her efforts. “We’re always looking to sue the state,” Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance spokesperson Paul Craney said when asked about the possibility of outside groups suing the state to uphold the new law. Last month, House lawmakers approved a rule change that grants DiZoglio the authority to select a private, external auditing firm to conduct an audit. While the lawmakers said that the change was meant to prevent the politicization of an audit, DiZoglio said it was equivalent to “ slapping voters in the face .” The House business manager has contacted DiZoglio’s office to set up a meeting in January about the new rule. DiZoglio said this week that she is happy to meet with leaders, but is telling them that any meeting in the new year would be about the full scope of an audit conducted by her office, not the rule change or the possibility of selecting an outside auditing firm. DiZoglio insisted that the auditor’s office is not subject to House rules, and that those rules do not supersede the laws of the state. Even if she were to choose an outside auditing firm, it would be limited in what information it could request, as it would not have subpoena authority over the house like the State Auditor’s office. “A private auditing firm comes in and looks at only the discrete information regarding financials that the agency that hires them allows them to see. They do nothing else.” she said. Since an outside auditing firm would be under contract with the House, it could be limited in what information can even be shared with the public, Dizoglio added. “House leaders were not interested in providing an opportunity to work together in their rules change,” she said. “They were looking for an opportunity to invite me to conspire with them to break the law. And I will do no such thing.” Ross Cristantiello Ross Cristantiello, a general assignment news reporter for Boston.com since 2022, covers local politics, crime, the environment, and more. Boston.com Today Sign up to receive the latest headlines in your inbox each morning. Be civil. Be kind.President-elect Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to let him negotiate a deal to save TikTok from an imminent US ban. In an filed to the court, Trump says he “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office,” and that he “alone possesses the consummate dealmaking expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform.” Last week, the Supreme Court that a bill passed by Congress banning TikTok on national security grounds violates the First Amendment. The bill gives wide latitude to the president to delay its enforcement if there’s progress being made towards a deal ensuring TikTok isn’t fully controlled by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. But the deadline for that determination is January 19th — one day before Trump is set to assume the presidency. In his Supreme Court filing, Trump asks for the bill’s January 19th deadline to be stayed, arguing that the deal he’d negotiate “would obviate the need for this Court to decide the historically challenging First Amendment question presented here on the current, highly expedited basis.” He argues that having over 14 million followers on TikTok, along with his ownership of Truth Social, gives him unique ability to “evaluate TikTok’s importance as a unique medium for freedom of expression, including core political speech.” He also cites Brazil’s temporary ban of Elon Musk’s X as an example of “the historic dangers presented” by banning TikTok. While Trump pushed for a TikTok ban during his first term, he changed his tune after his campaign successfully used the platform during the 2024 election. He recently at Mar-a-Lago and that “maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while.” /The College Football Playoff was changing how fans, players and coaches viewed bowl season even before it expanded to 12 teams. There have been dips in ratings. Last season, an Alamo Bowl featuring Arizona and Oklahoma averaged 3.93 million viewers — an 18% decline from the 4.78 million who watched Washington and Texas in the same bowl game a year earlier. But don’t tell Kalani Sitake and Deion Sanders that the non-Playoff bowl games are meaningless. Not after the Buffaloes and Cougars were picked to finish 11th and 13th, respectively, in the Big 12 Conference. “We were supposed to be in the crib right now, focused on recruiting, improving our rosters. Nevertheless, we’re here,” Sanders told reporters this week. “We’re taking it serious because we were predicted not to be here by some of you wonderful folks.” The man they call Coach Prime added: “Do you know how many people wish they could be in our situations? We’re going to take full advantage of it. All our kids are playing. We’re going to play our toughest, our hardest. This is a game, not just routine. This is a game that both of us wants to win.” (BYU Athletics) The BYU football team participates in a rally in San Antonio, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, ahead of the Alamo Bowl against Colorado on Saturday. How to watch No. 17 BYU vs. No. 23 Colorado Venue: The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas Kickoff: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. MT TV: ABC Pregame reading BYU QUARTERBACK JAKE RETZLAFF surely riled up some Sun Devil and Cyclone fans when he gave this game his own nickname. “I think it’s the people’s Big 12 championship,” he said. COUGARS ATHLETICS DIRECTOR TOM HOLMOE says the year he spent with Deion Sanders changed the trajectory of Holmoe’s career. (Joseph R. Villarin | AP) Deion Sanders walks out of the San Francisco 49ers' practice facility on Sept. 15, 1994. The free-agent defensive back signed a one-year $1.1 million contract with the 49ers, where he first met future BYU athletics director Tom Holmoe. COLORADO QB SHEDEUR SANDERS gave his take on BYU’s defense. HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER TRAVIS HUNTER is motivating the Cougars. Here’s how. HE WAS SELLING PLASMA and sleeping in his van. Now, this BYU lineman is playing in the Alamo Bowl.

By HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. The request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by Jan. 19 while the government emphasized its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case,” said Trump’s amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case and was written by D. John Sauer, Trump’s choice for solicitor general. The argument submitted to the court is the latest example of Trump inserting himself in national issues before he takes office. The Republican president-elect has already begun negotiating with other countries over his plans to impose tariffs, and he intervened earlier this month in a plan to fund the federal government, calling for a bipartisan plan to be rejected and sending Republicans back to the negotiating table. He has been holding meetings with foreign leaders and business officials at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida while he assembles his administration, including a meeting last week with TikTok CEO Shou Chew. Trump has reversed his position on the popular app, having tried to ban it during his first term in office over national security concerns. He joined the TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign and his team used it to connect with younger voters, especially male voters, by pushing content that was often macho and aimed at going viral. He said earlier this year that he still believed there were national security risks with TikTok, but that he opposed banning it. The filings Friday come ahead of oral arguments scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. The law was was signed by President Joe Biden in April after it passed Congress with broad bipartisan support. TikTok and ByteDance filed a legal challenge afterwards. Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld the statute , leading TikTok to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The brief from Trump said he opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.” In their brief to the Supreme Court on Friday, attorneys for TikTok and its parent company ByteDance argued the federal appeals court erred in its ruling and based its decision on “alleged ‘risks’ that China could exercise control” over TikTok’s U.S. platform by pressuring its foreign affiliates. The Biden administration has argued in court that TikTok poses a national security risk due to its connections to China. Officials say Chinese authorities can compel ByteDance to hand over information on TikTok’s U.S. patrons or use the platform to spread or suppress information. But the government “concedes that it has no evidence China has ever attempted to do so,” TikTok’s legal filing said, adding that the U.S. fears are predicated on future risks. In its filing Friday, the Biden administration said because TikTok “is integrated with ByteDance and relies on its propriety engine developed and maintained in China,” its corporate structure carries with it risk.DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli troops stormed one of the last hospitals operating in northern Gaza on Friday, forcing many staff and patients outside to strip in winter weather , the territory’s health ministry said. The army denied claims it had entered or set fire to the complex and accused Hamas of using the facility for cover. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit multiple times over the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods, according to staff. The ministry said a strike on the hospital a day earlier killed five medical staff. Israel's military said it was conducting operations against Hamas infrastructure and militants in the area and had ordered people out of the hospital, but said it had not entered the complex as of Friday night. It repeated claims that Hamas militants operate inside Kamal Adwan but provided no evidence. Hospital officials have denied that. The Health Ministry said troops forced medical personnel and patients to assemble in the yard and remove their clothes. Some were led to an unknown location, while some patients were sent to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which was knocked out of operation after an Israel raid this week. Israeli troops during raids frequently carry out mass detentions, stripping men to their underwear for questioning in what the military says is a security measure as they search for Hamas fighters. The Associated Press doesn’t have access to Kamal Adwan, but armed plainclothes members of the Hamas-led police forces have been seen in other hospitals, maintaining security but also controlling access to parts of the facilities. The Health Ministry said Israeli troops also set fires in several parts of Kamal Adwan, including the lab and surgery department. It said 25 patients and 60 health workers remained in the hospital. The account could not be independently confirmed, and attempts to reach hospital staff were unsuccessful. “Fire is ablaze everywhere in the hospital,” an unidentified staff member said in an audio message posted on social media accounts of hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya. The staffer said some evacuated patients had been unhooked from oxygen. “There are currently patients who could die at any moment,” she said. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesman, denied the accusations. “While IDF troops were not in the hospital, a small fire broke out in an empty building inside the hospital that is under control,” he said Friday night. He said a preliminary investigation found “no connection” between military activity and the fire. The Israeli military heavily restricts the movements of Palestinians in Gaza and has barred foreign journalists from entering the territory throughout the war, making it difficult to verify information. “These actions put the lives of all of these people in even more danger than what they faced before,” U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay told journalists, and noted colleagues' reports of “significant damage” to the hospital. It should be protected as international law requires, she added. Since October, Israel’s offensive has virtually sealed off the northern Gaza areas of Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya and leveled large parts of them. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were forced out but thousands are believed to remain in the area, where Kamal Adwan and two other hospitals are located. Troops raided Kamal Adwan in October, and on Tuesday troops stormed and evacuated the Indonesian Hospital. The area has been cut off from food and other aid for months , raising fears of famine . The United Nations says Israeli troops allowed just four humanitarian deliveries to the area from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23. The Israeli rights group Physicians for Human Rights-Israel this week petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice, seeking a halt to military attacks on Kamal Adwan. It warned that forcibly evacuating the hospital would “abandon thousands of residents in northern Gaza.” Before the latest deaths Thursday, the group documented five other staffers killed by Israeli fire since October. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza vowing to destroy Hamas after the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third believed to be dead. Israel’s nearly 15-month-old campaign of bombardment and offensives has devastated the territory’s health sector. A year ago, it carried out raids on hospitals in northern Gaza, including Kamal Adwan, Indonesian and al-Awda Hospital, saying they served as bases for Hamas, though it presented little evidence. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 45,400 Palestinians, more than half women and children, and wounded more than 108,000 others, according to the Health Ministry. Its count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. More than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians have been driven from their homes, most now sheltering in sprawling tent camps in south and central Gaza. Children and adults, many barefoot, huddled Friday on the cold sand in tents whose plastic and cloth sheets whipped in the wind. Overnight temperatures can dip into the 40s Fahrenheit (below 10 Celsius), and sea spray from the Mediterranean can dampen tents just steps away. "I swear to God, their mother and I cover ourselves with one blanket and we cover (their five children) with three blankets that we got from neighbors. Sea waters drowned everything that was ours,” said Muhammad al-Sous, displaced from Beit Lahiya in the north. The children collect plastic bottles to make fires, and pile under the blankets when their only set of clothes is washed and dried in the wind. At least three babies in Gaza have died from exposure to cold in recent days , doctors there have said, and the Health Ministry said an adult — a nurse who worked at the European Hospital — also died this week. Khaled and Keath reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Narions contributed to this report.