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The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by improvising a quote people will remember for decades. Which is exactly what Will Ferrell and Mark Acheson did while making 2003's holiday classic Elf . Although Mark—who plays Mailroom Guy during a fan-favorite scene— admitted that his most famous line almost ended up on the cutting room floor. "I called my agent and he said, 'Listen, they would like you to come and do one line with Will Ferrell. Would you like to do it?' And I said, 'Yeah, I'd be happy to do that,'" Mark told People in an interview published Dec. 20. "I was only supposed to say ‘work release' and that was the end of it." But during what he called "the weirdest day " imaginable on set, Elf director Jon Favreau requested that Mark and Will do a bit of improv for the scene where Will's Buddy the Elf thinks he's drinking coffee and syrup when in reality he's getting drunk, leading the two to their existential discussion in the mailroom. "I'm in the flow, that's what got me in here," Mark's character confesses before his now famous line. "I'm 26-years-old, I got nothin' to show for it." But as Buddy tells him, "You're young, you're so young. My Papa, he didn't make Master Tinker until he was 490." And while the joke about his age is now a favorite for fans of the movie, the scene almost got edited out . "The producers wanted to axe the whole scene because of that," Mark , 67, explained. "I think, 'Who is gonna believe this guy is 26?' I mean, seriously. I believe I was 46 at the time and an older 46 even at that. Because I never looked young in my life." But Jon fought for the scene to remain, noting that's what makes the joke work. "He kept me in but they, they didn't want me," Mark recalled, "but he did and thank God for me because it changed my career quite a bit." And while Mark has appeared in numerous movies and TV series over the years— including appearances on shows like The X-Files , Supernatural and Fargo —his quip about being 26 has lived on in the minds of fans for over two decades. "With every passing year I watch this movie (esp now at 27)," one fan posted to TikTok alongside a clip from the scene, "I find it more and more ridiculous this man is supposed to be a 26yo." One user responded in the comments, "I watched it this year and gasped when he said 26." Another added, "Idk this is how I feel at 27." One person had a different take, noting, "I think it's like a child's perspective because when we were little we thought someone 26 looked old." But as one TikToker noted, "That's the joke, I fear." Curious about more behind the scenes secrets from Elf ? Keep reading. 1. The first script fo r Elf was actually written in 1993, with Jim Carrey in mind to play the titular Santa's helper. Because it took over a decade for the film to finally be made, the Ace Ventura: Pet Detective star never ended up taking on the role, which proved to be the ultimate Christmas gift for Will Ferrell . 2. Elf was also initially intended to be a bit more sinister, with director Jon Favreau revealing to Rolling Stone , "He was a darker character." 3. Before he was asked to come in to rewrite the script and transform the movie into a PG friendly-family affair, Favreau initially turned down the job. "I took a look at the script, and I wasn't particularly interested," he told Rolling Stone . "It was a much darker version of the film. I liked the notion of being involved with Will in his first solo movie after SNL , but it wasn't quite there." 4. Buddy's iconic costume was modeled off of the elves from the 1964 Rankin/Bass film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer . "The costume was important," Favreau told ABC News. "It looks almost like he's a puppet and the tights and the boots and the hat and he was extremely brave wearing that costume." 5. Costume designer Laura Jean Shannon , tasked with finding the perfect look, revealed it wasn't accommodating Ferrell's 6-foot-3 frame that was the hardest part of her job. "It was less a challenge dressing Will due to his size and more a challenge to make sure nothing seemed off-putting or in bad taste." she explained to Feel Christmassy. "After all, I had to dress a grown man in tights and a cutaway coat. Needless to say, we did have a fair amount of fittings to be sure we struck the right balance between absurd and adorable." 6. Ferrell's Buddy costume was so captivating that the actor actually caused a few traffic incidents while filming in New York City. "When we had Will in the Lincoln Tunnel, the tunnel was open. Same thing with the 59th Street Bridge," Favreau told Rolling Stone . "Whenever he was out there in his suit, we'd hear screeches and fender-benders and lights smashing. People would be looking at him walking on the side and that would cause a few minor traffic accidents." 7. Buddy's infamous 12-second long burp wasn't actually performed by Ferrell. Voice actor Maurice LaMarche , best known for giving life to The Brain on Pinky and the Brain , provided the dinner table belch. And, yes, we heard that. 8. The cotton balls Buddy can't stop eating in the doctor's office were actually pieces of cotton candy that had yet to be dyed. 9. Buddy's all-sugar diet also became Ferrell's daily food intake while filming as he actually scarfed down all of that maple syrup-coated spaghetti and candy during scenes. "I ingested a lot of sugar in this movie and I didn't get a lot of sleep," Ferrell told The Sun . "I constantly stayed up. But anything for the movie, I'm there. If it takes eating a lot of maple syrup, then I will, if that's what the job calls for." 10. The late James Caan didn't have to act all that hard to nail his role as Buddy's reluctant father Walter. "I literally drove him crazy in that movie," Ferrell explained to Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler during a July 2024 appearance on their MeSsy podcast . “In between setups, he’d be like, 'I don’t get you. You’re not funny.' And I’m like, 'I know. I’m not Robin Williams .'" But the dynamic worked, acknowledged Ferrell. “I love that the whole time, he’s not acting," he continued. "He’s truly annoyed with me. He’s like, 'Can this guy shut the f--k up?'" 11. Determined to maintain the old school aesthetic, Favreau told Rolling Stone he didn’t want to make the film “a big CGI extravaganza," only using the technology to add some snow. “I like motion-control, models, matte paintings,” he explained. “It feels timeless. And stop-motion is my favorite. There were a lot of challenges to do that stuff in stop-motion. I had to fight very hard not to do that stuff in CGI.” 12. While Ferrell does have several inches on 5-foot-8 Bob Newhart (a.k.a. Papa Elf), Favreau revealed they used “forced perspective” to make it appear as if the SNL alum was towering over everyone else at the North Pole. Building two sets, one larger than the other, meant “if you look closely, you can see the two sets meet because we didn’t use CG to paint over that or blur it," Favreau explained. "I wanted it to have the same flaws that it would have had [before CGI], to make the movie feel more timeless. It made for great souvenirs. I have a Louisville Slugger that’s four and a half feet long in my office, that the elves were building.” 13. They came this close to filming the Santa scene at Macy's. However, one of the stipulations was removing the scene where Buddy called out the department store Santa, played by comedian Artie Lange , as fake "because their Santa has to be real," Favreau explained to Rolling Stone . "We had to think long and hard about it." Eventually they ended up filming in the cafeteria of a Vancouver mental hospital. They named their store Gimbels as a nod to 1947's Miracle on 34th Street . 14. When Zooey Deschanel was cast as Buddy's love interest Jovie, the film's producers decided to inject a shot of warmth with her peformance of "Baby, It's Cold Outside." "I remember Jon Favreau telling me that they were catering it to whoever played the part," Deschanel told Entertainment Weekly in 2020. "One actress they were looking at was good at skateboarding. But I had a cabaret act at the time and I was performing a lot. They knew that I was a singer, so they put that in to be my special thing that he could discover I was good at." 15. Some of Buddy's most iconic lines—"You smell like beef and cheese!" and "You sit on a throne of lies!"—were improvised by Ferrell in the moment. 16. The big fight scene between Ferrell and Lange was filmed in one take because it took the art department weeks to decorate Gimbels. "We had one take to destroy it," Lange told ABC News, "So Favreau said, 'Just go nuts!'" 17. While most people know Favreau had a small role as the pediatrician who examines Buddy and confirms he's Walter's son, the director also had another part: He voiced the Narwhal who infamously said, "Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad!" 18. Ferrell turned down a reported $29 million paycheck to reprise the role of Buddy for a sequel, telling The Guardian in 2006 that it "wasn't difficult at all" to pass on the opportunity."I remember asking myself: could I withstand the criticism when it's bad and they say, 'He did the sequel for the money?'" he explained. "I decided I wouldn't be able to. I didn't want to wander into an area that could erase all the good work I've done—but you watch, I'll do some sequel in the future that's crap." 19. But Caan alleged it was tension between Ferrell and Favreau that possibly squashed any plans for a follow-up. "We were gonna do it, and I thought, 'Oh my God, I finally have a franchise movie. I can make some money, let my kids do what the hell they want to do,'" he said on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland. "The director and Will didn't get along very well. Will wanted to do it, and he didn't want the director. He had it in his contract. It was one of those things." 20. While a sequel won't be found in anyone's stockings, fans were gifted with a Broadway musical inspired by the film in 2010. The show ran through 2013 and traveled overseas to the West End in 2015.
10 hot-ticket gifts we predict will sell out on Black Friday 2024
Matthews International Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2024ADNOC announced today it has signed a second Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the lower-carbon Ruwais liquified natural gas (LNG) project, with Malaysia’s PETRONAS. The 15-year SPA for supplying 1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG converts a previous Heads of Agreement between ADNOC and PETRONAS into a definitive agreement. The LNG will primarily be sourced from the Ruwais LNG project, which is currently under development in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi. Deliveries are expected to start in 2028 upon commencement of its commercial operations. To date, over 8 mtpa of the project’s production capacity has been committed to international customers through long-term agreements. Fatema Al Nuaimi, Executive Vice President, Downstream Business Management at ADNOC, said: “Natural gas plays a critical role in meeting the world’s energy needs, and we are proud to partner with PETRONAS to deliver lower-carbon LNG through this landmark agreement. This milestone further underscores ADNOC’s role as a reliable global energy supplier and supports growing demand in Asia for cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions.” ADNOC Gas announced in November 2024 that it expects to acquire ADNOC’s 60% stake in the Ruwais LNG project at cost, estimated at around $5 billion, in the second half of 2028. Upon completion, the project, comprising two 4.8 mtpa liquefaction trains with a combined capacity of 9.6 mtpa, will more than double ADNOC Gas’ existing operated LNG production capacity to around 15 mtpa. Shamsairi Ibrahim, Vice President of LNG Marketing & Trading at PETRONAS, said: “This partnership with ADNOC marks a significant milestone in strengthening PETRONAS’ business with the UAE, complementing our upstream activities while reinforcing the strategic economic relationship between the UAE and Malaysia. This collaboration bolsters our LNG portfolio with a reliable supply of lower-carbon energy to meet Malaysia’s domestic demand, enhances security of supply for our customers, and fosters deeper government-to-government collaboration whilst enabling sustainable development and providing solutions for the energy transition that will enrich lives for a sustainable future.” The Ruwais LNG plant will be the first LNG export facility in the Middle East and Africa region to run on clean power, making it one of the lowest-carbon intensity LNG plants in the world. The facility will leverage artificial intelligence and the latest technologies to enhance safety, minimize emissions and drive efficiency. Source: ADNOC
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Tens of millions of broken or unused electrical appliances are cluttering up Irish homes when they could be easily recycled, with valuable raw materials extracted, junior minister with responsibility for the circular economy Ossian Smyth says. The vast majority of Irish households have at least 15 broken or unused electrical items lying around, Bord Gáis Energy and Electric Ireland announce cuts in the cost of domestic electricity and gas which will save customers about €300 a year. An Post raises the price of a standard postage stamp, the fourth such price hike the State-owned postal carrier has rolled out in less than three years. The rate of inflation in Irish supermarkets continues to slow with data from retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel suggesting prices are increasing by 7.1 per cent. It represents a dramatic decline from a rate of 15.5 per cent that was recorded at the height of the cost-of-living-crisis in the summer of 2023 and marks the eighth month in a row that inflation has fallen. Irish mobile phone and broadband customers face an ongoing risk of significant price hikes every year without being given a chance to shop around for better value, ComReg warns. Many of the State’s leading telecom operators, including Vodafone , Eir and Three Mobile, link the price of their mobile and broadband packages to inflation, with increases of 3 per cent plus the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation rolled out each year. The finances of just under 40 per cent of Irish people have worsened over the last 12 months with large numbers feeling increasingly gloomy about their prospects despite some positive top-line economic news, according to the annual Pulse of the Nation research from Amárach . It identifies what it calls a “vibecession”, which notes that people’s feelings about the economy dip even when economic circumstances appear to be improving. Flogas Energy rolls out price cuts of up to 25 per cent. A new deposit and return scheme is rolled out which sees an automatic 15 cent deposit added to bottles and cans of between 150ml and 500ml, and a 25 cent deposit added to bottles and cans of between 500ml and three litres. It emerges that a record number of complaints were lodged with the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman in 2023 with concerns over customer service dominating and a significant number of consumers making contact over fraudulent activity on their accounts, according to a report. Diageo announces a price hike of 6 cent and says it is necessary to “maintain a sustainable business”. Publicans condemn it as a “hammer blow” to the sector. The increase hits Diageo products including Guinness, Carlsberg and Smithwick’s. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) launches High Court proceedings against PhoneWatch and HomeSecure, both of which are owned by Norwegian firm Sector Alarm Group , in connection with an investigation into anticompetitive practices in the sector. Clerys on O’Connell Street re-reopens, sort of. The new-look Clerys Quarter is occupied by H&M – which has spread itself over 30,000sq ft and two floors of the former department store. It will be joined later in the year by Decathalon. Consumers are at risk of being ripped off by rogue locksmiths operating without licences, the State’s private security watchdog warns. Lidl asks the company behind both Facebook and Instagram to remove pages on the social media platforms that are designed to steal money and personal details from unsuspecting shoppers by using its logos and livery and promising discounted “middle-aisle” deals. Irish people are run ragged, stressed by the social media screeching from the far right and struggling with an enduring cost-of-living crisis , according to the latest Sign of the Times survey published by Ipsos B&A. The deposit return scheme introduced in February is still in a transition phase with consumer frustrations including missing logos and broken reverse vending machines set to be resolved within weeks, the chief executive of Re-Turn promises. A judge labels Eir a “disgrace” after a court hears evidence that the telecom provider warned staff they could be disciplined for adhering to statutory regulations governing customer complaints. In a Dublin District Court case taken by ComReg, Eir and its parent company, Eircom, pleads guilty to multiple breaches of the law over its failure to acknowledge customer complaints and provide responses within 10 working days, among other issues. It emerges that the cost for a family of four climbed by about €500 in 2023 when compared with 2022. A Health Insurance Authority report also notes that older people are typically paying almost 50 per cent more for cover than younger cohorts. Irish holidaymakers at home and abroad are warned to be on alert for “complex and deceptive” scams in fraudulent activity recorded in 2023. According to data from a banking umbrella group, fraudsters stole almost €100 million from Irish consumers last year – an increase of 16 per cent on 2022. SSE Airtricity reduces the cost of its domestic electricity and gas by 10 per cent from the start of July. Grocery prices are rising at their slowest rate since the immediate aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine , according to data from retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel. Inflation across Irish supermarkets is put at 2.6 per cent. Up to one-third of Irish home cooks do not wash their hands after handling raw chicken before touching their mobile phones or tablets, according to research from a food safety watchdog. The promoter of Bruce Springsteen’s concert in Dublin apologises to thousands of fans who were left raging in the dark after they found themselves still queuing outside Croke Park as the Boss and his band took to the stage. Bank of Ireland warns consumers about a new wave of purchase scams luring unsuspecting shoppers through online ads to make payments for goods and services that subsequently turn out to be fake. According to a payment fraud report from the BPFI, €98.6 million was lost by Irish people to fraudsters in 2023. Card fraud accounted for 95 per cent of fraudulent transactions, which amounted to a total of €35.2 million, or 36 per cent of the losses. Temu , one of the fastest growing online shopping portals in internet history, is accused of using manipulative sales techniques illegal under EU law and failing to protect European consumers. The online marketplace is “rife with manipulative techniques – dark patterns – to get consumers to spend more than they might originally want to, or to complicate the process of closing down their account”, the Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs says. In response, Temu says it is “a newcomer to Europe” and has been “actively adjusting our service to align with local practices and preferences, and we are committed to full compliance with the laws and regulations of the markets where we operate”. Taylor Swift comes to town and plays three nights in the Aviva Stadium as part of her Eras Tour. All talk of high priced hotel rooms and wildly expensive tickets and merchandise is shaken off as she wows more than 120,000 Swifties with a set lasting almost 31⁄2 hours. The costs are put into perspective when it emerges that many Americans were able to fly to Ireland, stay in hotels in Dublin, see her perform and then fly home for less than the tickets alone would have cost them in the US. Industrial action at Aer Lingus between management and pilots throws the travel plans of thousands into disarray. At the heart of the dispute is the pilots’ demand for a 24 per cent pay hike while management made an initial offer of just under 10 per cent. Tesco is found guilty of breaking the law in connection with how it displayed the price of products it was selling on promotion. The retailer is ordered to pay €1,000 to a charity as well as covering the legal costs of the consumer watchdog that took the case. Tracker mortgages almost immediately benefit from the 0.25 per cent cut in interest rates announced by the European Central Bank (ECB). Retailers and distributors still selling amber teething jewellery that can choke or strangle infants have been told to withdraw the products immediately by the CCPC. Almost three-quarters of secondary school parents and just more than half of parents with children in primary school are worried about covering back-to-school costs this year, according to a survey from children’s charity Barnardos. People with Aer Lingus flight bookings breath a sigh of relief as the industrial action by its pilots is called off after a pay deal is reached which sees the pilots get a 17.75 per cent pay increase. Fans of Nicki Minaj express disappointment tinged with outrage after the rapper appears on stage in Dublin about 90 minutes later than planned, and plays a set that lasted less than an hour. Irish people are increasingly aware of the damage their consumption patterns have on the planet, but a majority are unwilling to pay a premium for more sustainable products, according to research by Amárach on behalf of Penneys . Tickets for Oasis go on sale at 8am on the last Saturday of the month with prices that leave many users looking back in anger. A so-called dynamic, or in-demand, pricing model sees some standing tickets more than double in price over the course of the first three hours of the sale. Customers who bought tickets on the Fota Island Wildlife Park’s website between the middle of May and the end of August have been told to cancel debit or credit cards following a cyberattack. Customers are also urged to review transactions on their accounts since May 12th, to identify any suspicious activity. Complaints to the CCPC jumped sharply in the first half of the year, with telecoms operator Eir and Ryanair the two companies most likely to be referenced by callers to its helpline. Many Irish people who have been mistreated, ripped off or otherwise let down by businesses are being denied access to any form of meaningful legal redress as the Small Claims Court hears only cases involving sums of €2,000 or less. The CCPC describes this ceiling as “out of step with the most basic and unavoidable expenses” with which many consumers have to contend. Retailer Brown Thomas defends its decision to impose a 60 cent charge for paper bags, a move it says has been taken out of concern for the environment with the profits to be used to plant trees across Ireland. Wagamama in Dublin closes after receivers appointed to the Press Up group fail to reach agreement with the UK-based chain on restructuring the franchise arrangement. The health insurance market here has grown too complicated and is overwhelming consumers, working against their best interests and seeing many paying over the odds for cover, according to the HIA. Tupperware is facing an existential crisis. It files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US as the cost of materials, labour, transportation and more climbed, and its losses soared. The ECB cuts its rates by another quarter of a point. The Government plans to impose “serious restrictions” on vaping including the banning of disposable vapes, restricting the sale of flavours and prohibiting point-of-sale advertising displays. The CCPC opens an official investigation into Ticketmaster over its handling of the sale of Oasis tickets. It acts after receiving more than 100 complaints from disappointed fans of the band. In advance of the investigation being announced, Oasis say they at “no time had any awareness” that dynamic pricing was being used to sell tickets. It emerges that the cost per square metre of building the Leinster House bike shed came in at about twice what it would typically cost to build a five-star hotel in Ireland and more than four-times the price a high-end house. At a cost of €336,000, the bike shed ended up being about 200 times more expensive than a flat-pack bike shelter of roughly the same size. Thousands of people line O’Connell Street on Halloween expecting a parade that never was. They showed up because of a post which first appeared on a website called myspirithalloween.com . The man behind the site apologises and says it was not a hoax but a mistake. Energy bills of Irish consumers are typically more than €500 higher than much of the EU, with the cost of domestic electricity alone about €350 more, according to data from Eurostat . Ireland’s consumer watchdog lacks the teeth to properly take on businesses that break the law and let people down, its chairman admits. Speaking at an event to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the CCPC, Brian McHugh calls on the Government to give it more powers to impose meaningful financial penalties on companies found to have broken the law. Ryanair defends its decision not to offer passengers stuck on its planes for up to 15 hours due to Storm Ashley free bottles of water or any other refreshments because there were “not entitled” to it. Customer service in Ireland is getting worse according to an annual assessment. The customer experience report by Amárach Research suggests that after two years of things looking up, our overall customer experience score fell by just under 2 per cent compared to 2023. The ECB reduces its interest rate by another quarter of a point. The cuts, and a once-off technical reduction of 0.35 per cent rolled out in September, will see the monthly repayments on a tracker mortgage of €180,000 fall by about €104. Alias Tom shuts up shop ending a stretch of more than 50 years on the Dublin retail landscape. The annual rate at which grocery prices have been increasing in the Republic continues to stabilise at less than 3 per cent over the 12 weeks to the end of in September, data from retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel suggests. A scam which uses bogus QR codes on parking meters to fool people into downloading malicious software or submitting sensitive financial details to websites controlled by criminals is identified in areas of the east coast. Almost half the honey on Irish supermarket shelves is likely to be adulterated with sugar syrups and additives, or sourced from countries not properly identified on labels, according to research from the Institute of International and European Affairs . Budget 2024 is unveiled. Billed as the biggest bonanza budget in the history of the State, many people will be substantially better off over the next 12 months as a result of the tax changes and the cost-of-living measures announced by Minister for Finance Jack Chambers. The CCPC secures a commitment from the liquidators of Homebase to fulfil contracts for kitchen and bathroom installations or offer full refunds. The liquidators also agree to honour vouchers for the eight Homebase stores in the Republic while they continue to trade. Retailers selling electronics, cosmetics, furniture and clothes are accused by the CCPC of deliberately misleading shoppers looking for bargains in the sales. It says legal proceedings against a number of retailers nationwide for breaking sales pricing laws will lead to court appearances in January. The general election takes place with the cost-of-living crisis front and centre in people’s minds. It is hardly surprising given that many people are so much worse off as a result of the crisis which is continuing despite a sharp decline in the rate at which prices have been climbing. Irish Life Health announces its third price increase in less than 12 months with customers facing an average hike of just under 4 per cent from the start of next year. The cost of private health insurance has climbed by an average of 11 per cent so far this year, according to a report from the HIA. It says average policy premiums are now €1,712. Ryanair cancels flights to and from airports across Europe and alerts passengers to the changes via email before sending them follow-up emails announcing their flights were not actually cancelled at all. More than 180,000 homeowners have failed to claim up to €1,250 in tax relief that was designed to soften the blow of rising mortgage interest rates. As a group, they could be missing out on as much as €120 million. Fewer than one-in-five domestic energy customers changed provider in 2023 despite potential savings amounting to hundreds of euro for those who moved companies. Dozens of customers of a Dublin-based windows and doors company that went into liquidation express anger and concern that money they paid will never be recovered. One couple say they could lose close to €50,000 after provisional liquidators from Grant Thornton were appointed by the High Court to DK Windows & Doors. Research from the CCPC suggests Christmas spending is rebounding sharply when compared with 2023. It suggests the cost of an Irish Christmas will climb by an average of 14 per cent or €1,177 compared with €1,030 in 2023 and €1,186 a year earlier. Storm Darragh clashed with the Toy Show but its impact would turn out to be far greater. The high winds damaged Holyhead Port which was closed in the run-up to Christmas and left many parcels and people who expected to be driving home for Christmas potentially stuck on the wrong side of the Irish Sea. While delivery companies and ferry operators raced to come up with alternatives it added a bit of pre-Christmas drama to our world that we could really have done without.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying that India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said that his thoughts are with Dr Manmohan Singh’s family, his friends, and his countless admirers. India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” he wrote on X. India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic... pic.twitter.com/clW00Yv6oP “Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, his friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti,” PM Modi added. Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions, AIIMS informed. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda also expressed condolences over the demise of former PM Singh, calling it a loss for the nation. Nadda said that Singh’s legacy will continue to inspire generations in their pursuit of nation-building. “The passing of Former Prime Minister and Economist Shri Manmohan Singh ji is an immense loss for the nation. A visionary statesman and a stalwart of Indian politics, throughout his remarkable career in public service, he consistently voiced for the welfare of the downtrodden. His leadership earned admiration and respect across party lines. Shri Manmohan Singh Ji’s legacy will continue to inspire generations in their pursuit of nation-building. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and admirers. Om Shanti,” JP Nadda. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha expressed his deepest condolences to Singh’s family and called him blessed and privileged to have had the opportunity to work alongside him in the Rajya Sabha. “A world-renowned economist and the architect behind the liberalization of the Indian economy, Dr Manmohan Singh Ji steered India through difficult times and into a new era. An Oxford-educated economist, he spearheaded India’s 1991 economic reforms and led the nation as Prime Minister with quiet determination, proving that intellect and integrity can drive transformative change. I join the nation in mourning the passing of one of our most distinguished statesmen. His legacy will endure and inspire generations to come. I consider myself blessed and privileged to have had the opportunity to work alongside him in the Rajya Sabha. My deepest condolences to his family. RIP, Sir. Om Shanti,” the AAP leader, posted on X. Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving 33 years in the house. Manomohan Singh, born in Punjab in 1932, served two terms as Prime Minister of India—from 2004 to 2014. He took the oath of office for the first time in 2004, after Congress won the 2004 Lok Sabha election against Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA. He served his second term from 2009 to 2014. He was then succeeded by PM Narendra Modi in 2014. Comments
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DEADLINE ALERT: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of DENTSPLY SIRONA
This year, Amazon is pulling out all the stops for Black Friday and offers incredible discounts on a wide range of Dyson products including their renowned vacuums, air purifiers and hair dryers. Among these, the Dyson Supersonic stands out as a global reference in hair care technology. Yes, it’s true that the Dyson Supersonic is easily ten times more expensive than an average hair dryer, but its efficiency and performance make it worth every penny. It not only enhances the beauty of your hair but also protects it from heat damage, which makes it the best investment you can make for your hair care routine. Currently available for $329.00 on Amazon, the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is marked down by $100, reflecting a 23% discount from its original price of $429.99 . This price drop during Black Friday makes it one of the most anticipated deals of the season. See at Amazon The Supersonic is engineered with advanced technology that allows it to dry hair quickly while minimizing heat exposure . Its powerful digital motor V9 spins up to 110,000 RPM and creates a high-velocity jet of air that dries hair swiftly and efficiently. Intelligent Heat Control The Dyson Supersonic has an intelligent heat control system which measures air temperature over 40 times per second to prevent extreme heat damage. This ensures that your hair maintains its natural shine and softness while reducing frizz by up to 75% . The dryer comes with multiple styling attachments including a smoothing nozzle for a sleek finish, a diffuser for defining curls and a styling concentrator for precision styling. Each attachment uses Dyson’s innovative magnetic connection system. The design of the Dyson Supersonic is not only functional but it’s also aesthetically pleasing: Its lightweight construction prevents arm strain during use and its sleek appearance adds a touch of elegance to any vanity or bathroom counter. Many professional salons around the world have adopted the Supersonic as their go-to hair dryer due to its superior performance and relibiality. Users rave about how quickly they can achieve salon-quality results at home without the risk of damaging their hair. As you consider your options this Black Friday, remember that investing in a high-quality product like the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer means you’re choosing durability and effectiveness over temporary savings. Unlike cheaper alternatives that may break down or underperform after a short period, the Supersonic model is built to last and deliver exceptional results consistently. See at AmazonOhio State Goes Viral for Trolling Indiana After Week 13 Blowout
Defiance Next Gen H2 ETF (NYSEARCA:HDRO) Trading Down 1.4% – Here’s What HappenedThe contemporary B2B landscape is being reshaped by a seismic shift toward automation and simplification. Companies are ditching clunky, manual processes in favor of sleek, digital-first solutions that prioritize speed, simplicity and scalability. The winners? Those who embrace embedded finance, real-time data insights and automation to streamline workflows and elevate customer experiences. While challenges remain, particularly in bridging the gap between buyer-centric and supplier-friendly solutions, as well as overcoming institutional inertia, this week’s top B2B trends indicate a clear movement toward greater efficiency, transparency and streamlined operations in the B2B landscape. What the Experts Are Saying: Keep It Simple, Stupid Boost Payment Solutions Chief of Staff Sam Silver told PYMNTS that as businesses push for modernization, they encounter a common paradox: What works smoothly for buyers can create operational headaches for suppliers. B2B payments, unlike consumer payments, are often tied to complex data requirements and reporting that surround each transaction, resulting in a fragmented landscape that suppliers must navigate. “At least half of B2B payments are still paper-based , particularly checks, and that creates multiple pain points,” Finexio Chief Strategy Officer Chris Wyatt told PYMNTS during a discussion for the “ What’s Next in Payments ” series, “ Business Simplicity: The New KPI. ” “These aren’t isolated problems. Everything is interconnected, and the inefficiency of manual processes all compound,” Wyatt said, noting that by automating the payment process, businesses can shorten their payment cycles, a key factor in maintaining healthy vendor relationships. Late payments — often a byproduct of inefficient systems — can strain partnerships and lead to supply chain disruptions. “Simplicity is not just a strategy; it’s becoming part of our DNA . As we continue to deconstruct and reimagine financial processes, we’re seeing firsthand how it contributes to sustainable growth,” Christina Wagner , senior vice president of GTM for automated finance at FIS , told PYMNTS, noting that in B2B, “complexity often burdens the finance function.” Tapping Blockchain to Solve Business Challenges PYMNTS unpacked how, for corporate treasurers navigating a global economy defined by uncertainty and complexity , blockchain technology offers a compelling promise: a transformation of the treasury function from a cost center to a strategic enabler. Plus, with the news Thursday (Nov. 21) that Mastercard ’s Multi-Token Network (MTN) has connected to J.P. Morgan’s Kinexys Digital Payments to streamline cross-border B2B transactions, leveraging blockchain for better payments is top of mind for B2B firms operating internationally. And as the holiday season peeks its head around the corner, businesses are bracing themselves for the surge in spending — potentially $240.8 billion in the U.S. — which puts the global supply chain under immense pressure. Fortunately, from loyalty programs to logistics, innovations that include blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI), automation and digital marketplaces are transforming the way B2B businesses handle their supply chains and helping them meet the high expectations of holiday buyers while maintaining operational efficiency. A Freight, Transport and Logistics Revolution The logistics industry is undergoing a transformation fueled by AI and robotics, driving greater efficiency and innovation across operations. From smarter fleets to automated distribution centers, AI and robotics are setting new benchmarks in the freight and logistics industry, paving the way for a future of intelligent operations. Class8 , formerly known as FleetOps , on Tuesday (Nov. 19) raised $22 million in a Series A funding round to promote its original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-integrated, AI-powered logistics solutions. The company’s platform processes over 1 billion daily data points from 227,000 trucks and uses that data to help trucking businesses optimize their fleet operations. And AI is taking off in logistics, Jaime Tabachnik , co-founder and CEO at Mexico FinTech Solvento , told PYMNTS. Solvento, which provides immediate payment solutions to the freight industry, with a focus on Mexico, is itself harnessing AI and an end-to-end accounts payable process to solve the challenges related to doing business in multiple currencies, foreign exchange rates and country-by-country legal frameworks. But it’s not just AI having an impact. Robots and AI are transforming logistics in tandem. PYMNTS sat down with Andrew Smith , founder and CEO of Outrider , to discuss how, with the introduction of autonomous vehicles and robotics, companies are turning their distribution yards into streamlined nerve centers that promise greater speed, safety and cost savings. “When you think about the evolution of AI and machine learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning techniques, it is important to be on the forefront of using those techniques to address the variability in the outdoor distribution yard environment,” Smith said. B2B Innovation: Unlocking Agility in the Age of Transformation Innovation isn’t just about tech; it’s about culture. More companies are leaning into agility, building collaborative ecosystems, and solving customer pain points by relying on partnerships to drive efficiency. Expense management firm Payhawk launched a partnership with J.P. Morgan Payments . The collaboration will see Payhawk use J.P. Morgan Payments’ APIs to let customers store, exchange and send money in more than 30 currencies within its platform, the companies announced Tuesday. Fiserv and ADP on Tuesday partnered to offer U.S.-based small businesses a management system with capabilities across payroll, cash management and payments. The companies will create an integrated solution that brings together the capabilities of ADP’s small business payroll and human resources solution, RUN Powered by ADP , and Fiserv’s small business management platform, Clover . LendingTree has teamed with Coverdash to offer insurance coverage to its small business and startup customers. The collaboration, announced Wednesday (Nov. 20), expands LendingTree’s financial product suite to allow small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) access to Coverdash’s fully embedded insurance offering. Elsewhere, embedded payments platform Modulr acquired accounts payable (AP) automation provider Nook on Tuesday, while TreviPay added automated buyer onboarding to its order-to-cash (O2C) offering. With the new feature, business buyers using TreviPay’s Risk Management Platform can apply for trade credit through a dynamic self-serve application, the company said Wednesday (Nov. 20). These developments underscore the ongoing push for automation, integration and embedded solutions in the B2B space.