‘Vito’ the pug wins best in show at annual National Dog Show competition
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‘Vito’ the pug wins best in show at annual National Dog Show competition

A surprising breed has emerged as America's new national dog champion. At the 92nd annual National Dog Show Presented by Purina, a pug won best in show for the first time in at least 20 years. According to a release, Vito, the pug, is the top pug in all show systems and the second-best toy dog in the United States. He won best of breed in the AKC National Show in 2023 and this year's Westminster Dog Show in New York City. Despite being only two and a half years old, Vito has won 25 best-in-show awards in his lifespan, according to his co-owner, Carolyn Koch of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In an interview with NBC News, Koch (pronounced Cook) declared, "I'm so proud of him." She referred to pugs as "her breed" and expressed her happiness that Vito was becoming popular among show dogs.Note: ...
Footprints show two species of ancient human relatives shared the same ground at the same time
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Footprints show two species of ancient human relatives shared the same ground at the same time

The Summary Ancient footprints discovered in Kenya belong to two different species of human relatives who walked on the same ground at the same time, a study found. The prints are thought to belong to the species Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei. The discovery raises questions about what kind of relationship and interactions the two species had. The first proof that two distinct species of early human ancestors visited the same area at the same time 1.5 million years ago comes from a recently found set of footprints in Kenya. The footprints, which were discovered within hours or days of each other and are said to be those of the species Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei, raise new questions about what transpired when the two came into contact, according to the rese...
Biden says Trump’s tariff threat against Canada and Mexico is ‘counterproductive’
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Biden says Trump’s tariff threat against Canada and Mexico is ‘counterproductive’

On Thursday, President Joe Biden denounced President-elect Donald Trump's declaration that he would impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, calling the remarks "counterproductive." "I hope he rethinks it, and I think it's a counterproductive thing to do," Biden claimed in response to a reporter's inquiry about his thoughts on Trump's declaration. "The last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships," he stated. Biden made these remarks while visiting a fire station in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on Thanksgiving Day. In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump stated that imposing a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico will be one of his first executive orders. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative reports that Mexico and Canada rank second and third in terms of the number ...
3 Americans detained in China are released in prisoner swap, official says
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3 Americans detained in China are released in prisoner swap, official says

On Wednesday, a State Department official announced the release of three American nationals who had been imprisoned in China for years. They are John Leung, Kai Li, and Mark Swidan. Long Island, New York native Li, 62, was arrested in 2016 and given a 10-year term in 2018 on espionage allegations that his family claims are unfounded. Swidan, a 40-year-old Texas businessman who had been in custody since 2012, was found guilty of drug-related accusations that a United Nations working group deemed lacked evidence, and in 2019 he was given a death sentence with a reprieve. The State Department believed that Li and Swidan had been illegally detained. Last year, a court in eastern China found John Leung, a 70-year-old American with permanent citizenship in Hong Kong, China, guilty of espionage a...
Trump says Mexico’s president promised to close the border. She begs to differ.
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Trump says Mexico’s president promised to close the border. She begs to differ.

President-elect Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum seem to have quite different memories of a meeting that touched on the contentious topic of migration, in what appears to be a case of he said, she said. Trump posted on social media during the late-Wednesday phone conversation that the Mexican leader had committed to halting immigration to the United States via Mexico. I just had a great talk with Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the new president of Mexico. In a post on Truth Social, he claimed that she had committed to halting migration via Mexico and into the United States, so sealing our southern border. It was a really fruitful discussion! Trump's story was different from Sheinbaum's. During our discussion with President Trump, I informed him of Mexico's all-encompassing a...
Ukraine’s power grid under ‘massive attack’ from Russia as frozen temperatures set in
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Ukraine’s power grid under ‘massive attack’ from Russia as frozen temperatures set in

Ukraine's KYIV Russia conducted a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy industry early Thursday, leaving over 700,000 homes and businesses without power throughout the icy country. The complicated strike, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was a response to Ukraine's use of American-made ATACMS missiles to launch an attack within Russia. He asserted, without proof, that the attack targeted military locations despite the severe harm to civilians. Late Wednesday night, air raid sirens started to sound and continued to do so for over nine hours. Along with strollers, pets, and whatever small blankets they could carry, people across sought shelter in bomb shelters, subway stations, and even their own restrooms while they waited out the bombardment. Targeting the po...
3 Americans detained in China are released in prisoner swap, official says
News

3 Americans detained in China are released in prisoner swap, official says

On Wednesday, a State Department official announced the release of three American nationals who had been imprisoned in China for years. They are John Leung, Kai Li, and Mark Swidan. Long Island, New York native Li, 62, was arrested in 2016 and given a 10-year term in 2018 on espionage allegations that his family claims are unfounded. Swidan, a 40-year-old Texas businessman who had been in custody since 2012, was found guilty of drug-related accusations that a United Nations working group deemed lacked evidence, and in 2019 he was given a death sentence with a reprieve. The State Department believed that Li and Swidan had been illegally detained. Last year, a court in eastern China found John Leung, a 70-year-old American with permanent citizenship in Hong Kong, China, guilty of espionage a...
Sam’s Club membership is on sale for $20: What you need to know
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Sam’s Club membership is on sale for $20: What you need to know

Finding the best prices is the main goal when shopping at Sam's Club. Are you considering becoming a member? Don't wait: Non-members can join for a year for just $20, which is more than 50% off the standard price, for a short period of time. Additionally, Sam's Club offers exclusive discounts on Black Friday purchases if you sign up now. This is what you should know. Sam's Club Membership A year-long Sam's Club membership is currently available to non-members for just $20, which is more than 50% off the normal membership fee of $50 for a brief period of time. (Terms are applicable. For further information, see the website. You can save money on electronics, food, household necessities, family fashion, and more with the Club tier membership. Additional benefits include gasoline reduction...
Putin praises Trump, says Russia is ready for dialogue
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Putin praises Trump, says Russia is ready for dialogue

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was prepared to have talks with the Republican president-elect on Thursday, congratulated Trump on his victory in the U.S. election, and commended him for his bravery in the face of an assassination attempt. Speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July, Putin made his first public comments since Trump's victory, claiming that Trump had behaved like a genuine man after an attempted assassination. At the Valdai debate club in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin stated, "I think he acted in a very right way, bravely, like a real man." This is my chance to congratulate him on winning the election. Putin claimed that Trump's comments regarding Ukraine and repairing ties with Russia during the election campaign merited notice. Putin ...
Australia Passes World-First Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
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Australia Passes World-First Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

By enacting legislation prohibiting minors under the age of sixteen from using social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and TikTok, Australia has made history. With a vote of 34-19, the Senate passed the bill Thursday, imposing fines of up to $50 million ($33 million) on platforms that do not prohibit the creation of accounts by minors. By a vote of 102–13 earlier this week, the bill was passed by the House of Representatives. It is anticipated that the Senate would adopt the legislation's changes, which contain stronger privacy measures. The new rule prohibits platforms from requiring digital identity through government systems or government-issued identification documents like driver's licenses or passports to verify age. Before sanctions are imposed, social...