Dr. Neil Rosenshein is retiring after nearly 25 years of service at Washington County Hospital and Meritus Health. Rosenshein began his career with the health system in 2000, according to a Meritus Health press release. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1969 and completed his residency in gynecology and obstetrics at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He also completed fellowships in gynecologic oncology and at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Throughout his career, Rosenshein has authored books, published articles, conducted medical research and won numerous awards. Most recently, he served as the director of Meritus Gynecologic Oncology Specialists. Rosenshein is known both nationally and locally as a champion of women’s health. His passion has been to educate women outside major urban areas about ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer. Dr. Victoria Giffi, an oncologist with Meritus Hematology & Oncology Specialists, first met Rosenshein when she was a medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “He would go around the room asking students question after question after question,” Giffi said. “We were all scared of him. His questions were tough.” Giffi began working with Rosenshein a decade ago at Meritus and said he is “just so supportive and approachable.” “I think the reason his patients adore him is because he listens,” Giffi said. “He also listens to his colleagues. And he has a mind like a steel trap. He remembers patients he met decades ago.” Rosenshein’s patients have been sad to hear the news of his retirement, but many, like Sarah Thomas, say they are grateful to have had him as their doctor. “He saved my life,” Thomas said. Thomas had cancer that was at stage 1-A — the earliest form — when it was discovered. Her gynecologist referred her to Rosenshein, who saw her within a week and performed surgery to remove the growth by the next week. It was at stage 1-B when he removed it. “That was six years ago,” Thomas said. “Every year I’ve been to him since then, he’s just been a sweetie.” At her last visit, she asked to take a photo of him. He insisted she be in the picture, too. “So we ended up taking a selfie of both of us. I’ll treasure that always.” For his part, Rosenshein is humble when talking about himself. The Smithsburg resident took the opportunity of his retirement to thank all those who have supported him in his quest to advance women’s health in the tristate region. “I’ve been honored to be part of the health system, first at Washington County Hospital, and at Meritus Health,” he said. “It has been a rewarding experience for me to deal with such wonderful patients and superb support staff throughout the hospital.” Rosenshein’s final day at Meritus was Dec. 19. This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/. Cervical cancer screenings are vital for women
BELLVILLE – It was a tumultuous year for the village of Bellville. Everything came to a head at a special council meeting called on a Sunday in April in which members voted to dismiss Administrator Larry Weirich after outside legal counsel ruled Weirich’s romantic relationship with Mayor Teri Brenkus was a “clear conflict of interest.” The story was No. 9 on the News Journal’s top 10 stories of 2024. More than 50 people crowded into a stuffy village hall for the special meeting, called after council received a legal opinion from the Cleveland law firm Zashin & Rich. Attorney Drew Piersall issued the legal opinion. “It is the undersigned counsel’s opinion that there is a clear conflict of interest present in this situation as there is no dispute that Mayor Brenkus enjoys supervisory authority over Administrator Weirich,” Piersall wrote. “The level of supervisory authority exercised is not the appropriate focus; the focus is on whether the authority exists, which it certainly does. “Mayor Brenkus and Administrator Weirich should have notified Village Council of a potential relationship prior to entering into a romantic relationship so that any potential conflict of interest/appearance of impropriety could have been addressed at that time.” Council voted 6-0 in March to ask Brenkus to resign while also putting Weirich on paid administrative leave. Brenkus refused to resign and has retained legal counsel. Brenkus did not attend the April meeting. A message was left with the mayor’s office. Weirich did attend the meeting and met in executive session with council for about 45 minutes before members voted 5-0 to remove him. Council President Justin Enix did not vote because he was the acting mayor in Brenkus’ absence. Weirich, who had been village administrator since 2015, oversaw the street, water, sewer and cemetery departments. Council’s options regarding Weirich were to restructure, discipline or dismiss. Enix allowed for public comment, giving residents two minutes each. About 15 spoke, and they were fairly evenly split on what should happen. When the residents had their say, Enix turned to Weirich and asked him if he wanted to comment. “Nope, pretty much everything’s been said,” he replied. Weirich had spoken to attorney Piersall. “According to my interview with Administrator Weirich, he began a romantic relationship with Mayor Brenkus after he separated from his wife in July 2023,” the attorney wrote. “It is not in dispute that Administrator Weirich has a dual reporting structure: He reports to both Village Council and Mayor Brenkus. Administrator Weirich contends that Mayor Brenkus does not provide much oversight over him, and her supervision is generally limited to signing off on his time-off sheets.” Under Ohio law, a village administrator can be removed without cause by the mayor with the consent of a majority of council, or he may be removed without cause by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of council, without consent of the mayor. Piersall noted the village’s nepotism policy does not include dating or a romantic relationship. “Notwithstanding, the ordinance expresses a policy for avoiding any appearance of impropriety,” he wrote. “The undersigned counsel is of the opinion that the relationship between the mayor and village administrator does not violate the ‘letter’ of the nepotism policy, but is incompatible with its spirit.” Enix and several other council members spoke to reporters, noting they removed Weirich without cause. To do so with cause would have required the mayor to bring the charges. The council president said business is back to normal in Bellville. “Nothing else really happened after that,” he said of the April meeting. Council appointed Michael Morton to replace Weirich. In August, Weirich was appointed to be road superintendent at Madison Township. mcaudill@gannett.com 419-521-7219 X: @MarkCau32059251
In front of Muftau Ajao’s house in Isalu-Iseyin, a community in Oyo State, South West Nigeria, a group of locals sat on a wooden bench, appearing uncomely in their postures. Each of them had been assigned a number; they waited impatiently for their turn to share their health woes with the traditional medicine consultant, hoping for relief through his herbal concoctions. Among the patients was Olawale Lawal, who had battled recurring typhoid and malaria for years, relying on herbal remedies as his go-to cure. One night in August 2022, while sleeping beside his grandfather, Olawale woke up with a high fever and a weak body. Alarmed, his family rushed him to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with typhoid fever. He was discharged after over a week of extensive medications. But the medical bills were overwhelming — over ₦212,000 — leaving his family financially drained. A month later, his typhoid returned. Unable to afford another hospital bill, his family turned to Muftau Ajao, a well-known traditional healer in the community. “The herbalist promised to prepare a cure, but it would cost a lot. My parents couldn’t afford the full amount, so he gave me what they could pay for,” he recalled. Unfortunately, the ailment would return. When asked, the supposed healer explained that the herbs used needed to be stronger because some key ingredients were scarce, as the trees needed for them had been cut down by loggers. “If those herbs were still available locally, I wouldn’t have gone through so much pain,” he claimed. Muftau, 54, has treated people in Isalu-Iseyin for over a decade, specialising in typhoid and malaria. He said he inherited his traditional medicine practice from his forefathers. But the job has become much more complicated, as many of the trees and plants in the area are now scarce due to deforestation by illegal loggers. “Back in the day, my father and I used to treat patients using leaves from trees like aganho(Senna fistula), ifuno(Adansonia digitata), and oruwoo(Morinda lucida). But now, those trees are hard to find because loggers have cut them down. Even if we search deep in the forests, we’re lucky to find just one or two,” he said. To prepare the healing concoctions, he would boil leaves for hours, and the patient would sit covered in several layers of cloth, inhaling the steam. Afterwards, they would bathe with the mixture for several days. “Those remedies worked fast. Within five days, a patient could fully recover. But with the alternatives we use now, it takes a week or more,” he explained. Muftau and his association of traditional healers have taken steps to protect the remaining trees. They’ve hired hunters to guard the forests, preventing loggers from cutting down medicinal plants. “Hiring hunters isn’t cheap, and it’s one reason our prices have increased. But it’s necessary to keep these trees safe,” he said. In rural parts of this world, traditional medicine is not just a health option; it is a way of life. For people without modern healthcare, medicinal plants are the first line of defence against illnesses ranging from mild discomforts to life-threatening conditions. This knowledge becomes community-treasured heritage and one of the core cultural norms. The landscape of traditional medicine in Nigeria is changing. Since late 2023, drug prices in the country have skyrocketed by up to 1000 per cent following the withdrawal of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) from the market and rising inflation. Many Nigerians, unable to afford modern drugs, have turned to traditional medicine. According to the World Health Organization, herbal medicine is the primary healthcare source for up to 80 per cent of people in developing African countries, including Nigeria. However, deforestation is threatening the plants on which these remedies depend. The forests that once sustained healers and their patients are rapidly disappearing. A HumAngle investigation reveals that rural residents in Oyo and Kwara States are avoiding costly hospital bills by seeking help from traditional doctors. Yet these healers face their challenges. Most plants used to treat malaria and typhoid have disappeared from the mall. The alternative plants to which they have turned are also running out. Interviewing plant specialists and environmental scientists and examining existing literature demonstrate that the destruction of forest habitats has exacerbated lifeworld illnesses and forced growing reliance on scarce resources. For traditional healers and their communities, the loss of these plants threatens health and a way of life. In August 2023, GSK UK PLC, formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline, a British multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, ended its operations in Nigeria after 51 years of providing household and medical products. Just four months later, Sanofi-Aventis Nigeria, a French pharmaceutical giant, also ceased operations after five decades in the country. Both companies cited challenges such as foreign exchange scarcity, increased competition from local firms, and a strategic review of their African drug and vaccine supply chains as reasons for their exit. The impact of these departures has been severe, compounding an already dire economic situation for many Nigerians. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty as of 2022, lacking Access to healthcare, education, and decent living conditions. Unemployment and inflation—reaching 28.9 per cent in December 2023—have further strained household finances, pushing more people toward cost-effective alternatives to modern healthcare. The price of essential drugs has skyrocketed, driven by Nigeria’s reliance on imports due to limited local production. This dependency has left the country vulnerable, especially after the withdrawal of major pharmaceutical players. From July to September 2023, Nigeria imported medications worth N81.8 billion—a sharp 68 per cent increase from N48.74 billion during the same period in 2022. The International Drug Centre predicts that drug prices will increase due to the continued fall of the naira and rising import costs for pharmaceutical products. Due to pressures, many Nigerians settled for traditional medicine as a more affordable alternative. Reports indicate that 30 per cent of patients who were on routine medications have switched to herbal remedies due to financial constraints, highlighting the growing reliance on plant-based treatments. A report by Punch newspaper revealed that traditional medicine usage in Nigeria has surged to 81.6 per cent following the exit of these pharmaceutical giants. This trend will probably revert anytime soon, particularly as the global burden of diseases continues to rise and access to affordable modern medicine diminishes. With over 8,000 plant species expected to have medicinal potential, Nigeria’s rich biodiversity supports traditional healers and local communities, treating ailments like malaria, diabetes, and hypertension. Yet, these resources are under threat. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified 18 medicinal plant species in Nigeria as critically endangered and 146 as threatened. Climate change, deforestation, and urbanisation are accelerating the depletion of these plants, leaving traditional medicine practitioners struggling to find resources. Forest loss is a growing crisis in Nigeria. Revised statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reveal that Nigeria led the world in deforestation between 2000 and 2005, losing 55.7 per cent of its primary forests. By 2021, the country had lost 97.8 thousand hectares of natural forest, generating 59.5 metric tons of CO2 emissions. The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) reports that 96 per cent of the country’s original forests have been lost. According to Global Forest Watch, Nigeria lost 1.14 million hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2021—a decline of 11 per cent since 2000. The government also disclosed in 2018 that 96 per cent of Nigeria’s original forests had disappeared. These statistics highlight the precarious state of medicinal plants and their knock-on effects on traditional medicine, biodiversity, and culture. Traditional medicine practitioners and researchers say medicinal plants have become increasingly scarce over the past decade. Forest loss, overharvesting, and extreme weather fueled by climate change have endangered essential plant species. This issue directly affects the lives of traditional healers and those patients who rely on these treatments. Rising hospital bills and the skyrocketing price of drugs have left many people with no alternative to conventional medicine in Oyo State. The healers have withdrawn from treating some illnesses due to the absence of plants, which has led to unnecessary deaths. Gboyega Olorunfemi, an environmental expert and executive director at Enviromax Global Resources, has pointed to deforestation as a significant cause of medicinal plant shortages in Oyo and Kwara states. “This is quite significant. The continued loss of forest cover threatens the availability and sustainability of these valuable resources,” he said. “The main drivers of deforestation in these areas are logging, fuelwood collection, charcoal production, agricultural expansion, urbanisation, and infrastructure development.” Olorunfemi stressed that the consequences are far-reaching. It depletes the availability of these plants, threatening the entire health ecosystem,” he told HumAngle. “Not much research and development has gone into fully harnessing the potential of herbal medicine or quantifying the value of medicinal plants in these states.” He added that while traditional medicine practices are widespread, their contribution to ecological challenges needs to be explored. Get our in-depth, creative coverage of conflict and development delivered to you every weekend. Subscribe now to The HumAngle Dispatch! Agbaje Sheriffdeen, 25, from Iseyin in Oyo state, shared his struggle with typhoid fever. One day after he returned from work, he took a shower, and not long after, his body was weak. “The doctor at the hospital said it was typhoid fever. I got treatment, but after spending so much on hospital bills, it came back within three weeks.” Determined to avoid more expenses, Agbaje turned to herbal medicine based on his friends’ advice, hoping it would work better. But when he met with a herbalist, he was told some of the trees needed for the remedy were no longer available because they had been cut down. The herbalist used substitutes, and though Agbaje got better, the fever returned after a few months. “When I returned, the man said the real ingredients were still unavailable. He told me he’d have to travel far to find them, and even then, he wasn’t sure he could get them.’’ Taiwo Shukurat, also from Iseyin commuity, described her recurring battles with typhoid and malaria. Earlier this year, she faced a severe bout. In July, she went to the hospital for a checkup, and tests showed she had both malaria and typhoid, so they put her on injections, drips, and lots of drugs. After spending over N150,000 and staying in the hospital for six days, she felt better. But just two weeks later, the symptoms returned. Frustrated, her mother-in-law suggested trying herbal medicine. Taiwo eventually agreed, and within three days of using the traditional remedy, she felt better — without the high costs. With the rising cost of living, Taiwo prefers herbal remedies whenever she or her children fall ill. “I know many people who have stopped wasting money on treatments that don’t work,” she said. “My husband’s family introduced me to herbal medicine, and I’ve stuck with it ever since.” Omotunde Lydia, a teacher living in the Omupo community in Kwara State, recounted her struggles when typhoid hit her without access to adequate healthcare. In the past, she and her family relied on medicinal herbs found in their backyard to cure typhoid and malaria, but she explained that those remedies are now scarce. When illness strikes, many residents cannot afford hospital care or herbal alternatives from local sellers. “Ordinary osanwewe, a fruit plant we used to pick for free, boil, and drink whenever typhoid or malaria affects us, is now sold at high prices,” she shared. Costs can rival or exceed private facilities for those seeking treatment at general hospitals. Lydia mentioned spending ₦35,000 for typhoid and malaria treatment—a significant burden in a community with limited resources. She believes the government must intervene to make healthcare affordable for the average person. She added that poor access to timely medical care is life-threatening for many in her community. “Some sicknesses that linger can cause others like dysentery turning into malaria,” she said. Ayinde Lawal, a resident of the community where Omotunde lives in Kwara State, shared his experiences battling malaria and other health challenges associated with his sedentary lifestyle. When he first contracted malaria, he was admitted to the hospital and given multiple drips over three weeks. Despite the treatment, he saw little improvement. “Malaria is not something to wish on even an enemy,” he said. Another patient in his ward, also suffering from malaria, required ten drips and spent even longer in recovery. Ultimately, it was herbal medicine that brought Lawal relief, a remedy he continues to trust despite its rising cost. The preparation of herbal medicines, Lawal explained, relies on specific trees such as Oruwoo, dogo yaro, Aganho, and Oronbo, many of which have become scarce due to deforestation. Those who gather these ingredients often venture into government-owned forests, where they risk being arrested. This scarcity, coupled with the challenges of sourcing herbs, has significantly driven up prices. Herbal medicines that once cost ₦2,000 now sell for ₦5,000, making them less affordable for many. Despite the rising costs, Lawal finds them more practical than pharmaceutical drugs because they can be reused by adding water, making them last longer. For him, herbal remedies remain a vital alternative in the face of limited healthcare access. Malaria and typhoid remain serious health problems in Nigeria. In 2021, the country recorded an estimated 68 million malaria cases and 194,000 deaths. Nigeria carries the world’s highest malaria burden, accounting for nearly 27 per cent of all global cases. Typhoid is also widespread, with over 290,000 cases reported yearly, especially in children under 15. Drug-resistant typhoid is becoming a growing concern in Nigeria and across the region. Ushakuma Anemga, a gynaecologist and vice president of the Nigeria Medical Association, said the high cost of hospital visits and medications has driven more Nigerians to seek herbal remedies. “Many people simply can’t afford hospitals anymore,” he said. Anemga warned that most herbal remedies lack scientific testing, making them risky. “People use these treatments without knowing what’s in them or the right doses,” he said. He also raised concerns about deforestation, which has made many medicinal plants harder to find, citing the case of artemisinin, a plant once used in China for malaria, which has now become the foundation for modern malaria treatment. “If we lose these plants, we lose their potential forever,” he said. Ridwan Rasheedat, an herbal medicine seller in Oyo State’s Isoko-Iseyin community, has been in the profession for over thirty years. She describes her commitment to preserving her ancestors’ practices, even though it’s increasingly challenging. She advises the community to trust traditional medicine’s slow but effective healing, saying, “I get different people seeking help, from pregnant women to children. We’re blessed that they heal by God’s grace.” Saheed Yekeen, another herbalist from Iseyin, says that traditional medicine faces many challenges. “People say herbal medicine can harm organs, and it’s true in cases of overuse,” he noted, explaining how they’ve since learned to guide patients on safe dosages. Saheed added that malaria is common and can arise from mosquitoes, stress, or sun exposure. Typhoid, meanwhile, can cause deeper internal issues and often appears alongside malaria. “The mango bark used to work perfectly for both, but we must travel miles now to find it. The Aganho tree, also useful, is disappearing and now grows mostly in remote areas.” Some herbs, such as unripe pawpaw, offer numerous healing properties. “It’s beneficial to take bitter foods; they’re good for the stomach,” he suggested. Saheed shared stories of his successful treatments, including when a doctor sought help for a persistent case that only improved with herbal remedies. Saw millers and farmers contribute to the loss of vital herbal plants, Saheed noted, recalling a trip to gather the Iroko tree only to find it cut down. “Herbicides kill these important plants,” he lamented, adding that increased pharmaceutical demand for these plants also threatens supply. Overharvesting practices damage tree growth, making some herbs like sawelepepe harder to find. This leaf was once used to sharpen memory, but it’s nearly gone now. Zainab Usman has relied on herbal medicine for decades in the Igberi-Owode community of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State. But the trees she once depended on, like Aganho and Iroko, have disappeared due to logging and farming. She has switched to alternatives like cashews, mangoes, and pawpaw trees to continue her work. Her struggle to find Aganho led her to a swamp, where she and her team almost got stuck before being rescued. Zainab, who has been making herbal medicine for 40 years, believes the lost trees had superior healing properties. “Drugs only work halfway,” she said. “There is no part of the Aganho that isn’t useful.” Another healer, Mahmudu Bello, said rising hospital costs—sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands of naira—drive more people to seek traditional medicine. Like Zainab, Bello learned the craft from his father and has faced similar challenges. Professor Abdullahi Abdulrahman from the University of Ilorin confirmed that plants like Senna fistula (Aganho) and Morinda lucida (Oruwoo) are becoming scarce due to climate change, deforestation, and urbanisation. He warned about the dangers of replacing these plants with unreliable substitutes. “Two plants may look alike but have different chemical compositions,” he explained, noting that using the wrong plant can harm patients and erode trust in traditional medicine. Professor Adeniyi Jayeola, a plant anatomy expert at the University of Ibadan, highlighted the major role traditional medicine plays in healthcare across developing countries, where about 80% of people still rely on it despite modern medicine advancements. Yet, he warned that the ongoing destruction of vegetation threatens this heavy reliance on natural remedies. “ The professor also emphasised the need for proper evaluation and conservation of Nigeria’s medicinal plants. Unlike South Africa, Nigeria lacks a “red list” that records which plants are endangered, threatened, or need protection. “We need a formal evaluation process to know which plants are at risk,” he explained. Jayeola suggested that creating local extractive gardens, where communities grow and protect these plants, could provide sustainable Access to genuine medicinal plants and prevent harmful substitutions. He also advocated for conservation policies, including restrictions on deforestation, to preserve these valuable plants for future generations. This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center. Illegal logging and deforestation in Nigeria are severely impacting traditional medicine by depleting essential medicinal plants like Aganho and Oruwoo. Rural communities increasingly rely on herbal remedies due to exorbitant medical costs and lack of healthcare access, yet the scarcity of these plants jeopardizes their efficacy. Traditional healers face challenges as they turn to less effective substitutes, complicated further by the withdrawal of pharmaceutical giants like GSK and Sanofi-Aventis from Nigeria, causing a surge in drug prices. This situation underscores the urgent need for environmental conservation and sustainable practices to preserve both biodiversity and traditional healthcare resources.
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Oklahoma football has one more shot to close out its 2024 season on a high note. The Sooners (6-6) take on Navy (9-3) in the Armed Forces Bowl at 11 a.m. CT Friday in Amon G. Carter Stadium, located on the TCU campus in Fort Worth, Texas, with a chance to finish 2024 with a winning record. Oklahoma earned a clutch upset victory over Alabama on Nov. 23 to become bowl-eligible and keep alive the second-longest bowl streak in the nation. The last time the Sooners played, LSU defeated them 37-17 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The team will look to bounce back and close out coach Brent Venables’ third year with a winning record. He has a 22-16 record with Oklahoma. Navy defeated Army 31-13 to earn the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy on Dec. 14, having defeated Air Force earlier in the season. The Midshipmen are seeking their first 10-win season since 2019. Navy is 1-0 all-time vs. Oklahoma, earning a 10-0 win on Oct. 2, 1965, in Norman. Here’s how to watch the Oklahoma vs. Navy game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information: More:Navy football coach Brian Newberry shares ‘pretty neat’ bond with Oklahoma father and son The Sooners will take on the Midshipmen on ESPN. Courtney Lyle (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst) will be on the bowl matchup broadcast. The game can also be streamed on the ESPN app (with a cable login) or Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers select users a free trial. More:How Ben Arbuckle is ‘bringing that energy’ for OU football during Armed Forces Bowl prep Oklahoma and Navy will play at 11 a.m. CT at Amon G. Carter Stadium, located on the TCU campus in Fort Worth, Texas. More:Brent Venables excited about QB John Mateer joining OU football: ‘He’ll make us better’ Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Dec. 26 More:OU football has its next starting QB, but here’s how Michael Hawkins can impact next year Prediction: Oklahoma 24, Navy 20 * Denotes SEC game More:OU football vs Navy: Inside the matchups for Sooners-Midshipmen in Armed Forces Bowl * Denotes AAC game More:OU football vs Navy predictions: Who wins Armed Forces Bowl game? We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage. Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
The BMW Group’s aim is to contribute to growth, prosperity and social stability through innovative, responsible action – because that’s the basis for a healthy economy and our future success as a company. Lifelong learning is fundamental in this regard and well-established within the company through a diverse range of training programmes. But as a true corporate citizen, the BMW Group promotes educational initiatives for young people around the world as well. The approx. 155,000 employees from 110 nations are a key factor in the success of the BMW Group. It’s because of them that technological innovations and the transition to electric, digital and circular personal mobility are even possible. That’s why, in 2024, the BMW Group invested over 400 million euros in training and development, with an effective and forward-looking training portfolio. More and more, the ability to acquire new knowledge fast and for constant personal development is crucial to the competitive advantage. Lifelong learning is part of the BMW Group’s self-image and an established part of the day-to-day work. But the commitment to education reaches far beyond the confines of the company itself – because it is important to the BMW Group to be part of the solution to a wide range of social challenges ahead. When it comes to societal change, education is key as it opens up new opportunities, enables well-founded decision-making and encourages critical thinking. “Working at the BMW Group means taking responsibility far beyond our own premises – for our society, the environment and all our stakeholders. It is our associates who are creating a more electric, digital and circular mobility. This is our contribution to a better future. This is what drives us forward every day”, says Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, People and Real Estate, Labour Relations Director. The BMW Group offers a host of different entry options for young, talented people. One of them is the apprenticeship, which is established worldwide. Furthermore, the BMW Group also offers student apprenticeships at selected sites. The portfolio of apprenticeships and student apprenticeships is constantly being updated to meet the future needs, with a primary focus on electronics, automation, IT and electric mobility. Digital and innovative learning methods are a fixed part of the training programmes. The BMW Group currently has some 4,800 apprentices and student apprentices worldwide (3,681 of them in Germany) and offers approx. 30 apprenticeships and 20 student apprenticeships at its 20 sites in ten different countries across the globe (as at 31.12.2023). For students, graduates and young professionals, the BMW Group has developed a number of special young talent programmes to help them join a dynamic working environment and take responsibility early on. By the end of 2023, over 500 young talents were supported through the programmes worldwide. The BMW Group Academy offers a forward-looking further education portfolio for all employees and partners around the world. Courses primarily focus on qualifying individuals to work with the new battery and high-voltage systems of the Neue Klasse, furthering digital skills such as artificial intelligence (AI), and the New Retail sales system. Being web-based, they are easy to integrate into the working day. The BMW Group Academy aims to enable employees and partners to develop the skills and abilities they need – fast and with a clear purpose. From the summer of 2025, the BMW Group Talent Campus Munich – which is currently under construction to the north-east of the home plant – will be the main educational institution for the company’s approx. 40,000 Munich-based employees. It will offer a high-quality learning environment with state-of-the-art equipment and technologies to create the best possible conditions for successful learning. The BMW Group supports educational projects. In Germany, this includes the non-profit training initiative JOBLINGE, which supports young people with difficult starting conditions on their way into education and work. It was founded by the Eberhard von Kuenheim Foundation of BMW AG (now renamed BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt) together with the Boston Consulting Group, with the aim of creating more equitable opportunities. JOBLINGE has since become one of the most successful nationwide programmes against youth unemployment and is helping meet the shortage of skilled workers in Germany. So that the support of young people has a lasting effect, one component of JOBLINGE’s support are the basecamps. One such basecamp opened at the start of the training year in Munich, in September 2024, supported by the BMW Group, Allianz Group, Infineon Technologies AG, the Lufthansa Group and Siemens AG. Its modern co-working space is the point of contact for apprentices and offers close mentoring and support from experts – which is crucial when it comes to staying on track and seeing an apprenticeship through to successful completion. The five companies offer coaching and advice as well as easier initial contact. But besides support for the apprenticeships, basecamps also serve as hubs for the entire professional training community – from young people still looking to find an apprenticeship to apprentices in need of support and experts specialising in the transition from school to work. In addition to its focus on education, the BMW Group supports skills development for future leaders. It promotes an open and diverse society with equitable opportunities for all and inspires people across the globe with its activities in the field of sport and culture. For more on the BMW Group’s commitment to corporate citizenship, click here.
There was no jackpot winner for Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing, which means that Friday’s drawing, if there is a winner, would be the fifth highest jackpot in Mega Millions history. This jackpot is an estimated $1.15 billion for Friday night’s drawing, according to the Mega Millions website. The cash option is $516.1 million. The last jackpot was won on September 10, a single winner from Texas won an $800 million jackpot. A group of co-workers on Long Island rung in the new year by scoring a Mega Millions jackpot of $437 million on January 1, 2019. There was a $20 million jackpot winner in Syracuse on April 19, 2023. There were three jackpot winners in New York in 2023, $483 million on April 14 in Queens and $20 million on January 17 in the Bronx. There have been no Mega Millions jackpot winners from New York in 2024. The next Mega Millions drawing is Friday, December 27. Drawings are held at 11 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday. To view the list of past winners, visit the Mega Millions website. In New York, in-store and online ticket sales are available until 10 p.m. on the night of the draw. Mega Millions costs $2 to play. In New Jersey and Connecticut you can purchase a ticket until 10:45 p.m. the night of the draw. The Megaplier feature increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four or five times. It costs an extra $1 per play. The Megaplier is drawn on Tuesday and Friday before the Mega Millions drawing. The pool includes 15 balls. Five are marked with 2X, six with 3X, three with 4X and one with 5X. Match 5 White Balls + Mega Ball: JackpotMatch 5 White Balls: $1 million Match 4 White Balls + Mega Ball: $10,000 Match 4 White Balls: $500 Match 3 White Balls + Mega Ball: $200 Match 3 White Balls: $10 Match 2 White Balls + Mega Ball: $10 Match 1 White Ball + Mega Ball: $4 Match Mega Ball: $2 The odds of matching the five white balls and Mega Ball to win the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350. A jackpot winner has the option of taking an annuity or cash payment. The annuity is paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments, according to the Mega Millions website. Each payment is 5% bigger than the previous one. “This helps protect winners’ lifestyle and purchasing power in periods of inflation,” according to the Mega Millions website. The cash option is a one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to all the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool. If two or more people win the jackpot in the same drawing, the money is shared equally among all winning tickets. In order to purchase a ticket, you’ll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online. To play, you will need to pick six numbers. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is one number between 1 and 25. If you believe the odds are against you, ask for a “Quick Pick” or an “Easy Pick,” the computer will randomly generate the numbers for you. Players can add the “Megaplier” for $1, which can increase non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday. There are 15 Megapiler balls in all: 2X, five balls 3X, six balls 4X, three balls 5X, one ball
Transfer Centre Plus: Manchester United are intent on keeping Antony at the club when the January transfer window opens next week – and the player’s agent has clarified his current situation amid speculation that he Brazilian could leave the club Thursday 26 December 2024 23:27, UK The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s newspapers… DAILY MIRROR Man Utd have reservations over triggering Alvaro Carreras’ £25m buy-back clause in January after selling the left-back to Benfica last summer. The deal helped to ease United’s financial concerns but the club have seen the need for a left-sided full-back develop. Dani Olmo’s agent Andy Bara has reportedly arrived in Manchester with Premier League clubs considering whether to take advantage of Barcelona’s uncertain ability to register the player. Sport claim that Barcelona are happy to sell Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen, with the decision made not to hand the latter a new deal. The Dane joined Barca on a free transfer from Chelsea but has been out for a lengthy spell this season. Newcastle, Juventus and AC Milan have been linked. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
DAILY MAIL Manchester United are intent on keeping Antony at the club when the January transfer window opens next week – and the player’s agent has clarified his current situation amid speculation that the Brazilian could leave the club. Transfer Centre LIVE! Stream Sky Sports with NOW Download the Sky Sports app Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp Ruben Amorim stressed that Manchester United must adopt survival mode after a fourth defeat in five Premier League games. Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City plan to be active in the January transfer window. Legendary sports reporter Chris Kamara made his triumphant return to broadcasting on Boxing Day, two years after stepping back from his Soccer Saturday duties due to a speech condition. THE SUN Ruben Amorim indicated Marcus Rashford is still not doing enough for his liking after leaving the forward out of Manchester United’s squad for a fourth straight game. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Wayne Rooney has been left clinging onto his job after Frank Lampard’s Coventry thrashed Plymouth 4-0. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s cheat sheet was exposed on his water bottle before saving Erling Haaland’s penalty against Manchester City. Wilfried Zaha could be blocked from a return to the Premier League in January by a little-known rule. The Ivorian winger, on loan at Lyon from Galatasaray, may be prevented from representing a third team in the 2024-25 campaign after his 15-minute cameo in the Turkish Super Cup thumping should FIFA deem that an official match. DAILY TELEGRAPH Arsenal hold an interest in Wolves forward Matheus Cunha but would face a huge battle landing him during the transfer window while the Brazilian is involved in a fight for survival at Molineux. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Crystal Palace full-back Danny Imray has a host of Championship and League One promotion-chasers looking to sign him on loan for the second half of the campaign. Ipswich are among the teams looking at Scottish midfielder Jordan Holsgrove during his spell at Portuguese club Estoril. THE TIMES Nottingham Forest and their fans are dreaming about a return to European football after this win against Tottenham Hotspur sent them up to third in the Premier League – but Spurs supporters attacked their chairman Daniel Levy following a ninth league loss of the season in their opening 18 games. The Newcastle United assistant manager Jason Tindall was sent off after a 20-man brawl in the St James’ Park tunnel at half-time during the home side’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
This marks the start of the company's broader strategy to allocate up to 90% of its surplus cash into Bitcoin. KULR Technology Group, a company specializing in advanced energy management for aerospace and defense, has made a purchase of 217.18 Bitcoin for $21 million via Coinbase Prime, a platform offering secure custody and wallet services for institutional investors, the company said on Thursday. KULR’s average purchase price was $96,556.53 per Bitcoin. KULR’s CEO, Michael Mo, said in a Tweet that he was inspired by how Microstrategy CEO Michael Saylor views Bitcoin as “digital energy,” explaining that Bitcoin fits into KULR’s long-term vision, which involves integrating artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital currency to create a modern corporate framework. “We see the future of corporations built on three pillars: super intelligence through AI, an automated workforce through robotics, and the future of money through Bitcoin,” Mo said. Before implementing the strategy, KULR surveyed its shareholders, who overwhelmingly supported the plan. The announcement led to a 40% surge in KULR’s stock price, highlighting investor confidence in the company’s forward-thinking approach. KULR’s decision reflects a growing trend among corporations using Bitcoin as a treasury asset. MicroStrategy, Tesla, and Square are among the companies that have incorporated Bitcoin into their financial strategies. MicroStrategy, a leader in this space, holds over 444,000 Bitcoin and continues to expand its reserves. Some 73 public companies hold bitcoin, according to BitcoinTreasuries data. Bitcoin is increasingly seen as a hedge against inflation and a long-term store of value due to its limited supply and decentralized nature. In recent weeks, other companies like Quantum BioPharma, a biopharmaceutical company, and Japan’s Metaplanet have made Bitcoin acquisitions. Buterin’s involvement comes as Moo Deng’s zoo works to secure trademarks and copyright rights to capitalize on her growing fame. These efforts aim to channel the hippo's popularity into tangible support for wildlife preservation. These moves, while seemingly at odds, underscore the country’s strategic deployment of digital assets to address both domestic and international challenges. Singapore has approved more crypto exchange licenses than Hong Kong and has issued almost double the amount of blockchain patents while having more than twice the number of blockchain jobs If implemented successfully, the proposed Bitcoin sandbox in Phuket could position Thailand as a regional leader in digital innovation. Buterin’s involvement comes as Moo Deng’s zoo works to secure trademarks and copyright rights to capitalize on her growing fame. These efforts aim to channel the hippo's popularity into tangible support for wildlife preservation. Crypto heavyweights vie for seats in Trump's advisory council on digital assets, eyeing influence over pro-Bitcoin policies and regulation These moves, while seemingly at odds, underscore the country’s strategic deployment of digital assets to address both domestic and international challenges. Singapore has approved more crypto exchange licenses than Hong Kong and has issued almost double the amount of blockchain patents while having more than twice the number of blockchain jobs
Fans were devastated when creators of the hit show Motherland said there’d be no more episodes after three series. But the good news is there’s a spin-off of the BAFTA-award winning sitcom promised for next year. Amandaland will put the queen bee of mums, played by Lucy Punch, in the spotlight after her divorce. Co-creator Sharon Horgan says: “We have new parents, a new school and new problems to look forward to.” While we wait for Amandaland, let’s take a look at what the Motherland cast have been up to. The school’s self-confessed power mum Amanda will take a starring role in the new show, which sees our heroine downsizing and moving to South Harlesden (SoHa) after her divorce. Lucy has come a long way since the days when she was Doc Martin’s receptionist, Elaine. When Motherland took off, she’d already moved to America because she kept getting cast as “posh idiots” and settled in Los Angeles, where she lives with her son Rex. It was a good decision because the 46 year old has had no shortage of film and TV roles, playing Cameron Diaz’s rival in Bad Teacher as well as bagging parts in Nuked and How to Date Billy Walsh. She was also tough paramedic Jo in Skycomedy Bloods. From the great historian and mockumentarian Philomena Cunk to hapless shirker Mandy, Diane Morgan, who plays super droll single mum Liz, always nails a comedy character. The Bolton-born 49 year old, who lives in London’s Bloomsbury with her partner, comedy producer Ben Caudell and their dog, has admitted that filming Motherland convinced her she was right to not have kids. Diane returns to Netflix on 2 January with a 75-minute Cunk on Life special and provides the voice of roving reporter Onya Doorstep in Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. Everyone’s favourite harassed mum Julia is played by Anna Maxwell Martin, who’s graced the stage and screen in roles that are a world away from her freewheeling character. One of the most villainous is DCS Carmichael in Line Of Duty. She recently starred in cosy crime series Ludwig opposite David Mitchell and wowed viewers in the gripping ITV drama Until I Kill You. She’s no stranger to the London stage, where she played opposite James Corden in The Constituent at The Old Vic last summer. Anna has recently spoken of the pain of losing her husband, Notting Hill director Roger Michell, in 2021. The pair had separated and shared two children, Maggie and Nancy. Julia’s husband Paul was always too busy working, go-karting or on a stag weekend to help out with the kids. And ex-Green Wing actor Oliver Chris, 46, has also had a packed schedule, playing smarmy TV presenter James Vereker in the recent adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s saucefest Rivals. He also appeared in The Crown, Trying and A Very British Scandal. Oliver has a daughter with his partner, Wolf Hall’s Kate Phillips. Canadian-born Tanya burst onto the mum scene as hardworking and hard drinking Meg and touched viewers’ hearts with her breast cancer storyline. The actress admits she’s nothing like her character and shuns tequila shots for early nights. Tanya, 52, lives in London with her teenage daughter Willow and bull terrier, Bella. Recently, she’s been in Apple TV’s Silo and Joy on Netflix and you’ll see her next in The Girlfriend on Prime Video. Their mother-daughter relationship might be fractious, but the perfect casting continues when Felicity, played by Joanna Lumley, comes to Amandaland. This year, the 78-year-old national treasure took a look back at her comedy partnership with Jennifer Saunders in Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out and played Michele Keegan’s scheming mother-in-law Judith in Fool Me Once on Netflix. After playing try-hard stay-at-home dad Kevin, Paul Ready has gone for a range of roles that are nothing like his Motherland character. This year, he took on a meaty theatre roll playing The Cardinal with Jodie Whittaker in The Duchess. His next film role will be alongside Barry Keoghan in gritty drama Bring Them Down, where he’ll play a sheep farmer. The 45 year old is married to actress and writer Michelle Terry, who’s artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and they have one daughter, Scout. Good news for Anne fans: Philippa Dunne is coming back as the Irish mama and wingwoman/servant to her best friend in Amandaland.
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