Moderate Easing Signals Next Year's Economic Outlook: Shift in Monetary PolicyLooking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today's Mini Crossword hints , as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands and Connections puzzles. The New York Times Mini Crossword loves to get smart with its players. Today's puzzle has one clue that requires an answer that's "a little less than 'mega'" and another one that asks for an answer that's "a little more than 'mega.'" Anyway, if you're stuck on any of the clues today, we've got the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips . The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times' games collection. If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections and Strands answers, you can visit CNET's NYT puzzle hints page . Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword Let's get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers. The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Dec. 30, 2024. Mini across clues and answers 1A clue: Rudely straightforward Answer: BLUNT 6A clue: Where you might see half-inch ticks? Answer: RULER 7A clue: A little less than "mega" Answer: EXTRA 8A clue: Verbose Answer: WORDY 9A clue: Unit of sunshine Answer: RAY Mini down clues and answers 1D clue: Steeped concoction Answer: BREW 2D clue: Swanky Vegas hotel resembling an Egyptian pyramid Answer: LUXOR 3D clue: A little more than "mega" Answer: ULTRA 4D clue: Quirkily enthusiastic about science, maybe Answer: NERDY 5D clue: Breakfast-in-bed convenience Answer: TRAY How to play more Mini Crosswords The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day's Mini Crossword for free, but you'll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.sg777 casino 。

As we reach the final "one" in December, the observations made during this month play a significant role in confirming the predictions for the upcoming winter season. If December is marked by frequent snowfall and strong winds, it is seen as a confirmation of a harsh winter with freezing temperatures. In contrast, a calm and relatively mild December might signal a more temperate winter with less extreme weather conditions. The cumulative observations made in October, November, and December help farmers and communities anticipate and adapt to the challenges of the winter season.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100Additionally, the seizure of the holding company has raised questions about its corporate governance practices. The lack of transparency and oversight in the company's operations has been a concern for investors and regulators alike. The company's failure to address these governance issues has left it vulnerable to legal action and potential financial losses.Miracle Alzheimer's drug which could slow down the disease is being considered for use on the NHS - giving hope to millions of people By KATE PICKLES HEALTH CORRESPONDENT FOR THE DAILY MAIL Published: 16:07 EST, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 16:22 EST, 29 December 2024 e-mail View comments A daily pill which could be the first to slow Alzheimer’s disease is being considered for use on the NHS . Officials are assessing whether hydromethylthionine mesylate (HMTM) shows sufficient promise to be given the green light for NHS patients. The drug attacks a protein called tau which accumulates in tangles in the brain, affecting memory and cognition. Taken as a tablet, it would not require the complex infusions needed for other recent breakthrough Alzheimer’s treatments. Early trial data suggests it can slow progression of the disease with regulators set to make a decision as soon as April. If approved, it would mark the biggest milestone for the disease in decades, bringing hope to millions worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and is set to affect more than a million Britons by the middle of this century. But there is growing hope the NHS must get ready for a future where it is treatable and even curable. A daily pill which could be the first to slow Alzheimer’s disease is being considered for use on the NHS (stock image) Officials are assessing whether hydromethylthionine mesylate (HMTM) shows sufficient promise to be given the green light for NHS patients (stock image) Developed by Aberdeen-based TauRX, early trials suggested the medication leads to sustained cognitive improvement at an early, clinically detectable stage of Alzheimer’s. The experimental compound belongs to a class of drugs known as tau aggregation inhibitors, which is hoped can undo the tangles, slowing and potentially altogether stopping memory loss. Former NHS clinical director for dementia and emeritus professor at the University of Manchester, Professor Alistair Burns, said it was potentially ‘great news for people with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and carers’. ‘We have reached an exciting time in the field of Alzheimer’s disease treatment,’ he told the Telegraph. ‘After no new therapies for a generation, we are on the threshold of having a range of new treatments, including a tau-targeted oral therapy, which have the real potential to slow the disease process.’ Read More BREAKING NEWS Anger as NHS patients told they WON'T get 'new hope' Alzheimer's drug donanemab The decision will follow the mixed fortunes of two breakthrough drugs for Alzheimer’s drugs - Lecanemab and Donanemab - having with UK regulators. Despite both being given the green light by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), hope was quickly extinguished when health spending watchdog National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) found they were not value for money for the NHS. Some experts question the potential benefits of HMTM, with the latest data yet to be peer-reviewed. Findings presented at the Alzheimer’s Disease International conference this year showed little or no benefit over placebo on memory and cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease. But the company said it was due to the unexpected effects of the placebo and is understood to be offering further evidence and results. The drug also appears to have a better safety profile than others coming through, suggesting it is less likely to cause adverse side effects. Dr Richard Oakley, the associate director of research and innovation at the charity Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘Although the placebo was expected to have no effect at the dose it was given, it built up in participants’ bodies over time. ‘However, HMTM did reduce the levels of a marker of brain cell loss.’ He added: ‘In a small subset of participants with mild cognitive impairment who have features of Alzheimer’s disease in their brains, HMTM seemed to have a beneficial effect.’ The MHRA, NICE and TauRX were all approached for comment. NHS Share or comment on this article: Miracle Alzheimer's drug which could slow down the disease is being considered for use on the NHS - giving hope to millions of people e-mail Add comment

Despite Mary Lou McDonald’s confidence around shaping a coalition without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail – the two parties that have dominated the landscape of Irish politics for a century – the pathway to government for Sinn Fein still appears challenging. With counting following Friday’s election still in the relatively early stages – after an exit poll that showed the main three parties effectively neck-and-neck – there is some way to go before the final picture emerges and the options for government formation crystalise. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris, has dismissed talk of a Sinn Fein surge and said he was “cautiously optimistic” about where his party will stand after all the votes are counted. Meanwhile, Ireland’s deputy premier and Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin, insisted his party has a “very clear route back to government” as he predicted seat gains. The counting process could last days because of Ireland’s complex system of proportional representation with a single transferable vote (PR-STV), where candidates are ranked by preference. The early indications have turned the focus to the tricky arithmetic of government formation, as the country’s several smaller parties and many independents potentially jockey for a place in government. Ms McDonald told reporters at the RDS count centre in Dublin that she would be “very, very actively pursuing” the potential to form a government with other parties on the left of the political spectrum. The smaller, left-leaning parties in Ireland include the Social Democrats, the Irish Labour Party, the Green Party and People Before Profit-Solidarity. Ms McDonald said her party had delivered an “incredible performance” in the election. “I think it’s fair to say that we have now confirmed that we have broken the political mould here in this state,” she said. “Two party politics is now gone. It’s consigned to the dustbin of history and that, in itself, is very significant.” She added: “I am looking to bring about a government of change, and I’m going to go and look at all formulations. “If you want my bottom line, the idea of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for another five years, in our strong opinion, is not a good outcome for Irish society. “Obviously, I want to talk to other parties of the left and those that we share very significant policy objectives with. So I’m going to do that first and just hear their mind, hear their thinking. But be very clear, we will be very, very actively pursuing entrance into government.” In Friday night’s exit poll, Sinn Fein was predicted to take 21.1% of first-preference votes, narrowly ahead of outgoing coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail at 21% and 19.5% respectively. Prior to the election, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael both ruled out entering government with Sinn Fein. Fine Gael leader Mr Harris rejected suggestions Sinn Fein had broken new ground. He told reporters in his count centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow: “Certainly we haven’t seen a Sinn Fein surge or anything like it. “I mean, it looks likely, on the figures that we’ve seen now, fewer people, many fewer people would have voted Sinn Fein in this election than the last one. “In fact, I think they’re down by around 5% and actually the parties, particularly the two parties, the two larger parties in government, are likely to receive significant support from the electorate. So definitely, politics in Ireland has gotten much more fragmented.” He said it was too early to tell what the next government would look like. “I think anybody who makes any suggestion about who is going to be the largest party or the construct of the next government, they’re a braver person than I am,” he said. “Our electoral system dictates that there’ll be many, many transfers that will go on for hours, if not days, before we know the final computations at all. “But what I am very confident about is that my party will have a very significant role to play in the years ahead, and I’m cautiously optimistic and excited.” Fianna Fail’s Mr Martin told reporters at a count centre in Cork he was confident that the numbers exist to form a government with parties that shared his political viewpoint. Mr Martin said it “remains to be seen” whether he would return to the role of Taoiseach – a position he held between 2020 and 2022 – but he expressed confidence his party would outperform the exit poll prediction. “It’s a bit too early yet to call the exact type of government that will be formed or the composition of the next government,” he said. “But I think there are, there will be a sufficiency of seats, it seems to me, that aligns with the core principles that I articulated at the outset of this campaign and throughout the campaign, around the pro-enterprise economy, around a positively pro-European position, a government that will strongly push for home ownership and around parties that are transparently democratic in how they conduct their affairs.” Asked if it would be in a coalition with Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Social Democrats, he said that would be “racing a bit too far ahead”. The final result may dictate that if Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are to return to government, they may need more than one junior partner, or potentially the buy-in of several independent TDs. Mr Martin said it was unclear how quickly a government can be formed, as he predicted his party would gain new seats. “It will be challenging. This is not easy,” he added. The junior partner in the outgoing government – the Green Party – looks set for a bruising set of results. Green leader Roderic O’Gorman is in a fight to hold onto his seat, as are a number of party colleagues, including Media Minister Catherine Martin. “It’s clear the Green Party has not had a good day,” he said. The early counting also suggested potential trouble for Fianna Fail in Wicklow, where the party’s only candidate in the constituency, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, is considered to have a battle ahead, with the risk of losing his seat. Meanwhile, there is significant focus on independent candidate Gerard Hutch who, on Saturday evening, was sitting in fourth place in the four-seat constituency of Dublin Central. Last spring, Mr Hutch was found not guilty by the non-jury Special Criminal Court of the murder of David Byrne, in one of the first deadly attacks of the Hutch-Kinahan gangland feud. Mr Byrne, 33, died after being shot six times at a crowded boxing weigh-in event at the Regency Hotel in February 2016. A Special Criminal Court judge described Mr Hutch, 61, as the patriarchal figurehead of the Hutch criminal organisation and said he had engaged in “serious criminal conduct”. The constituency will be closely watched as other hopefuls wait to see if transfers from eliminated candidates may eventually rule him out of contention. In the constituency of Louth, the much-criticised selection of John McGahon appeared not to have paid off for Fine Gael. The party’s campaign was beset by questioning over footage entering the public domain of the candidate engaged in a fight outside a pub in 2018. The Social Democrats have a strong chance of emerging as the largest of the smaller parties. The party’s leader, Holly Cairns, was already celebrating before a single vote was counted however, having announced the birth of her baby girl on polling day.(The Center Square) – Eleven states, led by Texas, have sued the three largest institutional investors in the world for allegedly conspiring to buy coal company stocks to control the market, reduce competition and violate federal and state antitrust laws. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Tyler Division and demands a trial by jury. It names as defendants BlackRock, Inc., State Street Corporation, and Vanguard Group, Inc., which combined manage more than $26 trillion in assets. The companies were sued for “acquiring substantial stockholdings in every significant publicly held coal producer in the United States” in order to gain “power to control the policies of the coal companies,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said. According to the 109-page brief , defendants own 30.43% of Peabody Energy, 34.19% of Arch Resources, 10.85% of NACCO Industries, 28.97% of CONSOL Energy, 29.7% of Alpha Metallurgical Resources, 24.94% of Vistra Energy, 8.3% of Hallador Energy, 31.62% of Warrior Met Coal and 32.87% of Black Hills Corporation. Under the Biden administration, in the past four years, “America’s coal producers have been responding not to the price signals of the free market, but to the commands of Larry Fink, BlackRock’s chairman and CEO, and his fellow asset managers,” the brief states. “As demand for the electricity Americans need to heat their homes and power their businesses has gone up, the supply of the coal used to generate that electricity has been artificially depressed – and the price has skyrocketed. Defendants have reaped the rewards of higher returns, higher fees, and higher profits, while American consumers have paid the price in higher utility bills and higher costs.” Consumer costs went up because the companies “weaponized” their shares to push through a so-called green energy agenda, including reducing coal output by more than half by 2030, the lawsuit alleges. In response, publicly traded coal producers reduced output and energy prices skyrocketed. The companies advanced their policies primarily through two programs, the Climate Action 100 and Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, signaling “their mutual intent to reduce the output of thermal coal, which predictably increased the cost of electricity for Americans” nationwide, Paxton said. The firms also allegedly deceived thousands of investors “who elected to invest in non-ESG funds to maximize their profits,” Paxton said. “Yet these funds pursued ESG strategies notwithstanding the defendants’ representations to the contrary.” While they allegedly directly restrained competition among the companies whose shares they acquired, “their war on competition has consequences for the entire industry,” the brief states. “Texas will not tolerate the illegal weaponization of the financial industry in service of a destructive, politicized ‘environmental’ agenda. BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street formed a cartel to rig the coal market, artificially reduce the energy supply, and raise prices,” Paxton said. “Their conspiracy has harmed American energy production and hurt consumers. This is a stunning violation of state and federal law.” The lawsuit alleges the companies’ actions violated the Clayton Act, which prohibits any acquisition of stock where “the effect of such acquisition may be substantially to lessen competition;” and the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, 15 U.S.C. § 1 in a conspiracy to restrain trade. It also alleges the companies violated state antitrust laws of Texas, Montana and West Virginia; Blackrock also allegedly violated the Texas Business and Commerce Code by committing “false, deceptive, or misleading acts.” It asks the court to rule that the companies violated the federal and state statutes, provide injunctive and equitable relief and prohibit them from engaging in such acts. It requests that civil fines be paid, including requiring Blackrock to pay $10,000 per violation. Joining Paxton in the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia and Wyoming. The Buzbee Law Firm and Cooper & Kirk are serving as outside counsel. The companies have yet to issue a statement on the lawsuit. The lawsuit follows one filed by 25 states led by Texas against the Biden administration asking the court to halt a federal ESG policy that could negatively impact the retirement savings of 152 million Americans. It also comes after Texas has listed hundreds of companies and publicly traded investment funds, including Blackrock, on its divestment list for advancing ESG and anti-oil and natural gas policies.

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It’s not just Alison Hammonds warm personality, wonderful one liners and her ability to fall off a sturdy countertop (watch 70’s week for that stand out moment) that have caught the eye of onlookers this series. But her fashion. The 49-year-old has won over the nation with her affordable high street looks. Wearing a mix of dresses and co-ords throughout the series all in bright patterns and colours Alison has said in the past that she wants fashion to be first and foremost comfortable. As The Great British Bake Off concludes tonight, in which we see Alison wearing a lilac polka dot dress from Dancing Leopard, which sadly is no longer available to buy. However, her other outfits throughout the series have caught the attention of many, with fans asking on social media where her outfits are from and fear not, as Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale shows you where exactly to shop her looks from. Wearing this dress for last week's semi-final Alison showed her playful wild side with this colourful leopard print number. A fun twist on the print that is dominating the high street currently, this particular dress is from Scamp & Dude. For £110 it is at the higher end of the high street, but also comes in lots of different leopard print shades. Plus keep your eyes peeled as the brand currently as up to 30 per cent off in the Black Friday sales. Now as Bake Off is filmed during the spring summer months of the year a few pieces Alison wore have now sold out. Including the top half of this green and orange co-ord from Never Fully Dressed. However, the trousers are still available to buy on Asos and there are plenty of other similar co-ords available directly on Never Fully Dressed. The great things with co-ords is how many outfits they can make, as well as wearing together you have the option to also wear separate to create even more looks. Alison is no stranger to vibrant prints and that is certainly the case with this star dress. By the brand Twisted Wunder, who Alison has worn on the previous series of the show, you can find it stocked on the likes of Simply Be. Still available to buy now it’s reduced down from £69 to £48.30 and goes up to a size 28. The empire line style of this dress is great for those with a larger bust as it fits nicely up top before skimming down the rest of your body, with lovely capped sleeves to finish off. This denim dress worn by Alison in the second week of the show this season is one of the less vibrant pieces. However, you really can’t go wrong when it comes to denim as it never goes out of style. This dress in particular is from Monsoon and retails for £75. With buttons down the middle and a tie font detail it makes for a dress that you can wear no matter the season. For this time of year pair with some tights, knee high boots and a long wool coat, for a smart look that will also keep you warm. To open the show this year Alison opted for the print of the season - leopard. In the classic neutral colours this ticks all the boxes as a dress that is bang on trend. From Karen Millen it’s clear that Alison likes these shirt style dresses with a tie front detail, having worn multiple similar styles throughout the series. This one retails for £89 but is currently in the sale for just £36. Accessorise with some gold jewellery as Alison has done here and let the dress do the the rest of the talking. We know Alison loves a satin co-ord, usually with an elasticated waist and flowy top half, they’re a super comfortable lightweight option. And that is certainly the case for this two piece. This one from River Island is currently on sale, but hurry as there aren’t many sizes left. The shirt is down to £25 from £45 and the trousers are down to £35, also from £45. SHE graces our televisions every Friday, as she co-hosts This Morning with Dermot O'Leary. But just how did Alison Hammond first find fame? 2002 - Alison competed in Big Brother, and was the second housemate to be evicted . She won over viewers with moments such as when she broke the table in the garden by jumping up and down on it. It was this year that she also started presenting for This Morning in a guest capacity. 2003 - Alison had a small acting role on TV drama Doctors. 2004 - This was the year that Alison returned to reality television, starring in shows including Celebrity Fit Club and Celebrity Stars in their Eyes - for which she performed as Nina Simone. 2010 - After several years of presenting gigs and reality show appearances, Alison was signed up to appear on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! She came in 10th place. 2014 - This was a busy year for Alison as she competed on both Celebrity Masterchef and Strictly Come Dancing, coming in 10th in the latter. 2020 - Alison appeared on The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off - her first, but not last, time in the famous tent. 2021 - Alison co-hosted This Morning for three episodes alongside Phillip Schofield. It was later announced that Alison and Dermot would be replacing Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford as presenters of This Morning on a Friday. 2023 - Alison was announced as the new co-host of The Great British Bake Off, replacing Matt Lucas to present alongside Noel Fielding. 2024 - Following the death of Paul O'Grady, Alison stepped in as host of For The Love of Dogs. 2025 - An eight-part series titled Alison Hammond's Big Weekend will premiere on BBC one next year, as she spends 48 hours with a celebrity in a bid to really get to know them.Will Utah State or Boise State forfeit vs. San Jose State in the Mountain West semifinals?